Carlos Queiroz, head coach of Oman’s national football team, publicly criticized the referee and presented photographic evidence to journalists after his side lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in their opening Arab Cup match.
The veteran Portuguese coach was incensed by Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh’s decision not to issue a red card for a harsh tackle by Saudi Arabia’s Boushal on Al-Yahmedi’s right leg in the 83rd minute. The referee had reviewed the incident on VAR but still opted against an expulsion.
Queiroz, 72, showed reporters a laptop displaying an image of the controversial play.
“The situation is clear for everyone,” Queiroz stated. “The tackle was on the player’s leg, from behind. This is unacceptable. The referee made a mistake.”
Oman, under Queiroz, initially equalized against Saudi Arabia in the Arab Cup match being held in Qatar. Saudi Arabia’s Al Buraikan scored first in the 55th minute, followed by Al Habashi for Oman in the 70th minute. However, Al Shehri secured the winning goal for Saudi Arabia, coached by France’s Hervé Renard, in the 77th minute.
In another Group B fixture, Morocco defeated Comoros 3-1. This win placed Morocco at the top of the group standings after the first round of matches in Qatar.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Portuguese coach Hélio Sousa’s Kuwaiti team secured a 1-1 draw against Egypt in Group C. Kuwait had taken the lead through Al Hajeri in the 64th minute.
Egypt equalized with an 88th-minute penalty from Kafsha, despite Kuwait playing with ten men after Al Hoshan was sent off in the 83rd minute. Earlier, Egypt’s El Solia had missed a penalty in the 38th minute.
Sousa acknowledged the difficulty of the match. “It could have been better. It was a very difficult match and we could have scored a second goal,” Sousa said. “We played well and prevented the opponent from creating opportunities easily.”