AsianCup2023 | Group F : Oman 0 - 0 Thailand

It's a second group game for both Oman and Thailand at the Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha. And whilst Oman lost in their first game, Thailand started off with a win, meaning that they come into this clash in a very strong position in the group. A Salah Al Yahyai penalty got Oman on the score sheet against Saudi Arabia in their opening match, but they go on to suffer a painful defeat, conceding deep into stoppage time in the game. Coach Branko Ivankovic was very proud of his side despite the defeat against the group heavyweight Saudi Arabia, suggesting that his team would relish the pressure of the occasion in today's game. Thailand's number nine, Supershy Jaided, unsurprisingly starts up front again, having scored a brace in his team's win over the Kyrgyz Republic. Thierry Thon can get the ball into the box for Thailand. How on earth did that one stay out from such close range? It was Dola who was there. A tremendous reflex stop from the keeper Mukhaini. And the rebound was cleared away by Abdullah Fawaz. And Oman survive. And the Thai fans and even the bench thought that one was the opening goal after 16 minutes. Oman on the move now. They find some space over on the right-hand side with Yahmadi. That's a promising cross in, but it's deflected kindly back to the goalkeeper in the end. Savi and Fawaz were both in there, but the defensive efforts of Mikkelsen were just enough to put them off from a good position. Oman slightly on top in the contest now, but it remains nil-nil. Oman keeping hold of the ball better than Thailand. A chance to have a look at goal there, but it was headed away to safety by the Thai defence, who are getting ever busier here. Here's Ali Yahyai for Oman. Pushing on has a go from outside the box, but unfortunately that rather sums up the final product that we've seen at either end in this first half. Thirathon standing over the free kick. There are two options there for Thailand. It will be Thirathon to take it with the left foot. Ibrahim Al-Muqaini makes a comfortable gather. Thailand have been lacking that creative spark in this first half. Since the earlier header, they've offered very little. Stoppage time, corner kick. It's punched away really well. Patiwat Khammai getting it well out of the area as Khalid Al-Buraiki went up for it. Thailand are going to hold on here, surely, for half-time at nil-nil with another good bit of goalkeeping. Oman have been the better side for large periods of the first half, but it's goalless at the break and clear-cut chances are proving very hard to come by at both ends. Suparnath now for Thailand in space. Into the area he goes. A first chance to really run at the Oman defence, but Al-Khamisi tracked him really well and was able to get down and block the eventual effort. The Thai forwards looking a little rusty, having been on the back foot so often. Al-Yahyai still going in the box. Got the square ball across, but it was cleared away by the keeper. How about that for some creativity, which has really been lacking. Salah Al-Yahyai, the Oman number 20, has been the live wire. Free kick from a decent position. It has to be tipped away by the keeper with four red shirts around it. Sabi and Agrasani were both close by, but you get the feeling it's Oman who are much closer to a goal than Thailand with 15 minutes to go. Akbari plays it to Al-Yahyai. Oman going down the left-hand side, but Mickelson's there with the block. Oman are getting close to 70% possession now, and Thailand are really up against it, but Oman just can't get much on target. One final roll of the dice maybe. Akbari launches it towards the area. It's safely gathered, and that should be that now. Thailand can celebrate a backs-against-the-wall effort as they cling on for a hard-earned point. It's two clean sheets in succession for Matsutada Ishii's team, and four points could possibly already be enough to see them through. Captain Thiagaton will be out of their next game, though. Oman made the most of the running today, but they just could not get through to find a winner. They'll need to win their last group F game after that. 0-0, the final score. Thanks for watching.