United Arab Emirates moved further clear at the top of the ACC Cup standings after beating Oman 143 to 192 on Monday. The result came as a surprise to many, given how closely matched the two sides had been in their recent meetings. UAE now sit three points ahead of their neighbours with one game remaining in the group stage.
The victory extends UAE's unbeaten run to three matches, keeping them firmly at the summit of the table. Oman's single defeat now costs them dearly in the race for qualification. The hosts remain second but face an uphill battle to catch the leaders.
UAE have shown consistency throughout the tournament, winning all three of their matches so far. Their latest victory over Oman follows a narrow win against Singapore and a comprehensive victory over Kuwait. The away side's ability to close out tight games has been their defining feature.
Oman's form has been more inconsistent, with two wins and one loss from three games. Their recent results include a heavy defeat to Kuwait and a close loss to Qatar. The team will need to find a higher level of performance if they are to recover from this setback.
The gap between the two sides has opened up significantly, with UAE holding a comfortable lead. Oman must now win their final match while hoping UAE slip up in their last game. The race for the title is far from over, but the momentum has shifted in UAE's favour.