OMAN kicked off its Gulf Cup of Nations campaign in style overnight, defeating host side the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in the opening match of the tournament in Abu Dhabi.
Kuwait was meanwhile held to a 1-1 draw by Yemen in Group A.
Oman, which has been drawn alongside Australia in Group A of the Asian Cup finals in Bangkok later this year, scored the first goal of the tournament eight minutes before half-time.
Midfield player Fawzi Bashir hit an unstoppable shot past Emirates goalkeeper Majid Naser having ghosted into an unmarked position on the edge of the penalty area.
Striker Imad al-Houssani doubled Oman’s advantage five minutes after the break, given the simple task of tapping the ball past Naser having been played into the penalty area.
The Emirates, drawn alongside Japan in Group B of the Asian Cup, regrouped, and star striker Ismael Matar reduced the deficit 12 minutes later.
He broke through the Oman defence on the right and slotted a shot past goalkeeper Ali Alhabassy.
Australia's future rival nevertheless held on with relative ease to go top of Group A in the Gulf Cup.
Yemen, the lowest-ranked team in the Gulf Cup, meanwhile shocked Kuwait when Ali Omaqi scored in the 17th minute.
Kuwait, which failed to qualify for the Asian Cup finals, having finished last in its group behind Australia and Bahrain, equalised 16 minutes from full-time, Bader al-Mutawaa scoring from the penalty spot.
