Both looking to build on opening victories, Oman and Saudi Arabia will square off on Tuesday in the second round of fixtures of the Asian World Cup Qualifiers third round.

The hosts picked up an eye-catching 1-0 win over Japan in the first game of the new phase of qualifying, while their visitors comfortably defeated Vietnam 3-1.

Match preview

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Oman reached this stage thanks to a relatively impressive showing in the second round, beginning with a 2-1 away win over India and a comfortable 3-0 victory against Afghanistan.

After a 2-1 defeat to group favourites Qatar, Al-Ahmar bounced back with a 4-1 thrashing of Bangladesh and a 1-0 win over India, before again falling to a defeat at the hands of Qatar.

Away victories against Afghanistan and Bangladesh saw Branko Ivankovic's side finish comfortably in second spot behind the runaway leaders, progressing to the third round as one of the best runners-up.

They then started the third round in style with a surprise victory, when they made the trip to take on Japan, as Issam Al Sabhi netted an 88th-minute winner as the game looked set to end goalless.

Having started with a victory over one of the sides heavily fancied to finish in the top two, Oman will look to build with what would be another impressive result to boost their bid for a first World Cup appearance.

They take on a Saudi Arabia side who reached the 2018 tournament in Russia, and will look to make a second consecutive appearance next year.

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The Green Falcons cruised through the second round, with draws against Yemen and Palestine being the only blemishes on their record.

Herve Renard's men topped their group with 20 points, having netted 22 goals in eight games while only conceding four at the other end of the pitch, meaning they head into a tough third-round group with confidence.

They started in style at home to Vietnam, overturning an early one-goal deficit as Salem Al-Dawsari, Yasser Al-Shahrani and Saleh Al-Shehri all got on the scoresheet in a 3-1 victory.

With competition for the top three spots fierce between the likes of Australia, Japan and Oman, Renard's side will be desperate to add another victory to cement themselves at the top end of the table from the outset with their sights set on reaching next year's World Cup.

Team News

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The majority of Oman's squad play domestic football in their home country, with the exception of midfielder Jameel Al-Yahmadi, who plies his trade for Al-Markhiya in Qatar.

Faiz Al-Rushaidi seems to now be the first-choice goalkeeper, after experienced stopper Ali Al-Habsi dominated the spot for over a decade.

Attacker Abdul Aziz Al-Muqbali will hope to break into the starting XI, having hit 30 goals in 85 appearances for his nation.

Striker Salem Al-Dawsari and winger Saleh Al-Shehri both got on the scoresheet in Saudi Arabia's 3-1 win over Vietnam last time out, and they will again play key roles going forward on Tuesday.

Fahad Al-Muwallad should feature on the opposite flank, having hit 17 goals in 62 international appearances.

Oman possible starting lineup:
Al-Rushaidi; Al Harthi, Al Khamisi, Al Habsi, Al-Busaidi; Al Aghbari, Al-Saadi, Al-Yahyaei, Fawaz; Al-Muqbali, Al-Hajri

Saudi Arabia possible starting lineup:
Al Owais; Al Ghanam, Al-Amri, Madu, Al-Shahrani; Al-Malki, Otayf; Al-Muwallad, Al-Faraj, Al-Shehri; Al-Dawsari

We say: Oman 0-2 Saudi Arabia

While Oman punched above their weight to topple Japan in the opening game, we do not see them causing another upset on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia boast quality and experience all over the pitch, and we expect them to put another victory on the board in their push for a second straight World Cup appearance.

Written by
Sam Varley

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