Muscat – Oman players ran like maniacs, fought like their lives depended on it and emerged as heroes soaked in sweat and glory after playing almost two-thirds of the match one man short.

Rasheed Jabir’s men will take on the winners of the second semifinal between hosts Kuwait and Bahrain to be played later in the evening. But in this form, with this confidence and fighting spirit, Oman will feel they can conquer the world.

Oman were down to 10 men in the 34^th minute when Al Mandhar Rabia Said al Alawi got marching orders for a foul on Saudi Arabia’s Salem Aldawsari which looked like a harsh decision.

But Oman continued with their attacking ways and minutes later a teasing cross from the right had Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais scrambling. Though he deflected the cross, Oman’s Ali Al Busaidi still managed a shot which hit a crowd of legs and went out for a corner. Oman had another bright moment when they broke through the left and opened up the Saudi defence only for Alowais to make a fingertip save to deny Harib al Saadi.

In between, Oman goalkeeper Faiz al Rushaidi made a brave stop to deny Aldawsari from close range.

Saudi Arabia though they took the lead just before the hour mark when Abdullah al Hamdan put the ball in Oman net but the goal was ruled out for offside in the build up after a VAR check.

Saudi had another chance after a quick throw in form the left freed Marwan al Sahafi but Al Rushaidi stood tall and cut the angle, forcing the Saudi attacker to hit his shot wide.

Oman took the lead in the 74^th minute after a foul on Ahmed al Khamisi on the edge of the area by Saudi forward Musab Fahz Aljuwayr, who also got a yellow card.

Arshad al Alawi’s low and powerful freekick took a slight deflection off Aljuwayr’s left foot and went past a diving Alowais in Saudi goal.

It was every bit Oman deserved and in the 78^th minute, they came close to increasing their lead when Issam Al Sabhi’s glancing header off  Ali al Busaidi’s corner sailed inches wide.

But Oman scored their second in the 85^th minute after quick throw in found Abdulrahman al Mushaifri whose perfect cutback was emphatically finished by Al Busaidi.

Saudi Arabia came roaring back into the game when Mohamed Kanno’s shot from outside the box flew past Al Rushaidi’s outstretched hands into Oman goal just two minutes later.

Though the Saudi Arabians bombarded Oman penalty box in the closing moments the men in red fought for each and every ball.  And despite having to play more than 10 minutes of added time, they bravely held on for a famous win.