Oman destroy Bhutan 14-0 in Asian Cup qualifying as Abdulaziz Al Maqbali nets a double hat-trick

  • It was a day to forget for minnows Bhutan in Asian Cup qualifying on Tuesday 
  • They were on the end of a 14-0 hammering at the hands of Oman 
  • Abdulaziz Al Maqbali scored six goals, including four in the first half
  • Khalid Al Hajri managed four goals of his own, all in the second period 

Abdulaziz Al Maqbali netted a double hat-trick as Oman crushed Bhutan in Asian Cup qualifying.

The home side averaged a goal every six minutes as they romped to a 14-0 Group D success at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat on Tuesday. 

Al Maqbali scored four times in the first half and added two after the break, with his team registering on seven occasions either side of half-time.

Abdulaziz Al Maqbali celebrates one of his six goals for Oman against Bhutan

Abdulaziz Al Maqbali celebrates one of his six goals for Oman against Bhutan

Khalid Al Hajri ran riot in the second period, netting four times to leave the visiting minnows nursing their wounds.


The rout started after just two minutes as Ahmed Mubarak’s long pass found Al Maqbali and the striker fired past Bhutan goalkeeper Hari Gurung from a tight angle. 

After the opener, Bhutan rallied and held out for 23 goalless minutes before the floodgates well and truly opened.

Mubarak, Mohsin Jouhar, Nader Awadh and an own goal from Biren Basnet added to the strikes from Al Maqbali and Al Hajri.

Omani fans hold up their country's flag as they watch the 14-0 romp in Muscat

Omani fans hold up their country's flag as they watch the 14-0 romp in Muscat

THE SCORING IN FULL...

Two mins: 1-0 (Al Mugbali)

25 mins: 2-0 (Mubarak)

32 mins: 3-0 (Al Khaldi)

35 mins: 4-0 (Al Mugbali) 

40 mins: 5-0 (Al Mugbali)

43 mins: 6-0 (Al Mugbali)

44 mins: 7-0 (Mabrook)

54 mins: 8-0 (Basnet own goal)

68 mins: 9-0 (Al Mugbali)

71 mins: 10-0 (Al Hajri)

76 mins: 11-0 (Al Hajri)

87 mins: 12-0 (Al Mugbali)

90+1 mins: 13-0 (Al Hajri pen)

90+2 mins: 14-0 (Al Hajri)

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The visitors crumbled twice just before the end of each period, conceding in the 40th, 43rd and 44th minutes of the first half and the 87th, 91st and 92nd minutes of the second.

Oman are next in action on June 13 when they take on Palestine. The Maldives makes up the four-team group with the top two from each pool making the finals.

The Asian Cup is due to be played in the United Arab Emirates in January and February 2019.  

Samial Al Hasani fails to get to the ball in front of Bhutan goalkeeper Hari Gurung

Samial Al Hasani fails to get to the ball in front of Bhutan goalkeeper Hari Gurung