Overview
- The UAE beat Oman 2-1 in Doha as Marcus Meloni equalised on 76 minutes before Caio Lucas’s late cross drifted in for the winner after an early own goal put Oman ahead.
- Cosmin Olaroiu’s side now need only a draw against Qatar on Tuesday at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium to top the three-team group and reach their first World Cup since 1990.
- A penalty initially awarded to the UAE was overturned after a VAR review, a pivotal moment that preceded the late comeback.
- Olaroiu made three halftime changes that shifted momentum, introducing Caio Canedo, Harib Abdallah and Yahia Nader to spark a more direct, aggressive approach.
- Around 5,000 UAE tickets for the Oman match sold out as thousands traveled, while Uaefa says only about 8% of seats are allocated to UAE fans for the Qatar decider with limited tickets via online registration.