Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Oman defeated Malaysia 2-0 in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the World Cup and AFC Asian Cup – Group D tie on Tuesday.

The richly deserved win leaves Oman on nine points, level with Kyrgyz Republic, who defeated Chinese Taipei 5-1.

Malaysia, who lost the away fixture 2-0 last Thursday, had the early chance with Ariff Aiman gaining possession just inside the Oman half before unleashing a shot that almost slipped through the legs of keeper Ibrahim al Mukhaini, who recovered well to scramble the ball to safety.

 Ariff threatened again in the seventh minute with a surging run down the right flank before floating the ball into the area towards Romel Morales who, however, failed to connect.

Oman responded two minutes later with Jameel al Yahmadi in the thick of things but his shot from inside the box went high above the bar.

The West Asian side threatened again in the 14th minute with Muhsen al Ghassani just failing to connect from inside the box, before Al Yahmadi saw his effort blocked after beating two defenders.

Goalkeeper Syihan Hazmi then produced two brilliant saves, the first in the 41st minute when he foiled Salaah al Yahyaei’s shot with Al Ghassani skying his effort on the follow up before tipping over the latter’s looping header two minutes later.

Syihan, however, conceded a penalty in the closing stages of the half when he brought down Al Ghassani, leaving Al Maliki to score the ensuing spot-kick to give Oman the lead going into the break.

Malaysia started the second half with confidence but it was Oman who came close, with the post denying Al Yahmadi in the 52nd minute with Syihan beaten.

Mohammed al Ghafri was then denied by the woodwork with less than 10 minutes remaining but he came good in the fourth minute of added time, finishing off Abdullah Fawaz’s cutback from the edge of the area to seal the win.