2018 Russia World Cup: Tiny Guam stay unbeaten at home
Pacific nation draw 0-0 with Oman in Asia Zone qualifiers.
Guam, with a population of about 165,000, have now won two and drawn one of their home games to lie second in Group D. PHOTO: AFP
HONG KONG:
The tiny Pacific nation of Guam held Oman 0-0 on Tuesday to extend their unbeaten home record in a World Cup qualifying campaign which continues to defy the odds.
The team from the remote US territory bounced back from last week’s 6-0 hammering by Iran in Tehran with a brave display at their National Training Centre ground.
Oman, captained by former Premier League goalkeeper Ali alHabsi, dominated possession but were unable to break down the hosts.
Guam, with a population of about 165,000, have now won two and drawn one of their home games to lie second in Group D as the fourth round of games gets under way. Shock wins against Turkmenistan and India have put them firmly in the mix at the halfway stage.
In other matches, Vietnam defeated Chinese Taipei 2-1 at the Municipal Stadium in Taipei City.
Defender Dinh Tien Thanh had given the visitors a lead in the 53rd minute before the home side equalised through Wu Chun Ching in the 82nd. Midfielder Tran Phi Son scored a late winner in injury time to give the visitors a win.
At the Mongkok Stadium in Hong Kong, Group C leaders Qatar survived a scare as they saw their comfortable 3-0 lead reduced to a one-goal advantage as the home side struck twice in the dying minutes of the game, threatening to tarnish the visitor’s winning streak. However, Qatar managed to hold on and came out on top with a 3-2 win to maintain their domination over the group with nine points.
Meanwhile, Syria defeated Cambodia 6-0, Republic of China overcame Maldives 3-0, Uzbekistan thrashed the Philippines 5-1, Kuwait defeated Laos 2-0 and Iraq drew with Thailand 2-2.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2015.
The tiny Pacific nation of Guam held Oman 0-0 on Tuesday to extend their unbeaten home record in a World Cup qualifying campaign which continues to defy the odds.
The team from the remote US territory bounced back from last week’s 6-0 hammering by Iran in Tehran with a brave display at their National Training Centre ground.
Oman, captained by former Premier League goalkeeper Ali alHabsi, dominated possession but were unable to break down the hosts.
Guam, with a population of about 165,000, have now won two and drawn one of their home games to lie second in Group D as the fourth round of games gets under way. Shock wins against Turkmenistan and India have put them firmly in the mix at the halfway stage.
In other matches, Vietnam defeated Chinese Taipei 2-1 at the Municipal Stadium in Taipei City.
Defender Dinh Tien Thanh had given the visitors a lead in the 53rd minute before the home side equalised through Wu Chun Ching in the 82nd. Midfielder Tran Phi Son scored a late winner in injury time to give the visitors a win.
At the Mongkok Stadium in Hong Kong, Group C leaders Qatar survived a scare as they saw their comfortable 3-0 lead reduced to a one-goal advantage as the home side struck twice in the dying minutes of the game, threatening to tarnish the visitor’s winning streak. However, Qatar managed to hold on and came out on top with a 3-2 win to maintain their domination over the group with nine points.
Meanwhile, Syria defeated Cambodia 6-0, Republic of China overcame Maldives 3-0, Uzbekistan thrashed the Philippines 5-1, Kuwait defeated Laos 2-0 and Iraq drew with Thailand 2-2.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2015.