Gulf Cup of Nations performance
Prior to the new millennium, Oman generally struggled in the
Gulf Cup of Nations, usually finishing in 6th or 7th place, even when the cup was held in
Oman. It was about 1998 when the national team began to increase its' performance, and in the 2003/2004 Gulf Cups new talent emerged like the familiar names of
Imad Al-Hosni,
Ali Al-Habsi,
Badr Al-Maimani, and
Khalifa Ayil which made the team more successful.
In the
2002 Gulf Cup of Nations held in
Saudi Arabia, Oman had once again finished in an unimpressive 5th place, but under the captaincy of
Dhofar F.C.'s
Hani Al-Dhabit, Oman had accomplished something never before done in the history of Oman in the Gulf Cup, defeating 9-time winners,
Kuwait. The match ended 3-1 with captain Hani Al-Dhabit scoring a
hat-trick. As well as the three goals on Kuwait, Al-Dhabit netted a goal on
Bahrain, and a consolation goal against a 2-1
Qatar. At the end of the competition, Hani Al-Dhabit was the only Omani to score any goals, and was awarded the "Top Goal Scorer" of the competition, with a total of 5 goals.
During the
2004 Gulf Cup in
Doha Oman reached the final for the first time in the team's history, which was eventually lost to
Qatar in a penalty shootout.
Imad Al-Hosni was awarded the "Top Goal Scorer" of the competition with a total of 4 goals.
In the
2007 Gulf Cup, the national team reached the final for a second consecutive time and lost to hosts,
U.A.E. 1-0 in
Abu Dhabi. Although losing to the Emirates in the final, Oman had maintained an undefeated record throughout the competition dis-including the final. Once again
Ali Al-Habsi had received the "Best Goalkeeper of the Gulf Cup" for the third consecutive time in a row; the most won by a goalkeeper in the 40 years of the Gulf Cup tournament. Oman had tied U.A.E. in goalscoring with 9 goals each after the competition
Eventually after losing twice in the Gulf Cup final consecutively,
Oman had managed to win the
2009 Gulf Cup of Nations tournament as hosts, while defeating regional giants,
Saudi Arabia in a penalty shootout 5-6. Oman maintained a clean-sheet throughout the whole competition. The competition in Muscat was the first for
Hassan Rabia, and despite this he managed to score 4 goals resulting in him receiving the "Top Goal Scorer" award. Ali Al-Habsi also received the fourth consecutive "Best Goalkeeper Award" expanding his record further.
