Oman saw off Smail 2-0 in their Group Stage - 2 fixture at the FA Cup on Monday. The visitors secured victory without conceding, extending their advantage over the hosts from their earlier encounter in May. The clean-sheet run came to an end for Smail, who had looked solid in their previous outing.
And here's the thing — this wasn't the first time these sides had met this season. Oman had already beaten Smail 2-1 back in May, and they carried that momentum into this encounter. To be fair, the visitors didn't need to do much more than hold their shape and wait for their moment.
Smail's recent form hadn't been encouraging. They'd lost three of their last five matches, including that opening defeat to Oman. The hosts had found a way back into it against Sohar with a 2-1 win, but this fixture exposed the same vulnerabilities that had cost them points before.
By then, Oman were second to everything they faced. Their only win in the last five games had come against Smail themselves, and they needed to make sure they didn't let this opportunity slip. The visitors worked the channels and found a way back into it when it mattered.
What the result means is straightforward. Oman move clear at the top of the group, while Smail's hopes of progression take another hit. The hosts had 0 points from their opening match and now face an uphill battle. Are in control of the tie — no, that's not right. Are in control of their destiny, but only if they turn things around.