Bahrain, Comoros, Oman, and Sudan sealed their berths for the group stages of the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup after a dramatic second day of qualifiers that delivered everything from tactical arm-wrestles to an all-time comeback classic.

On a night when underdogs refused to fade quietly, and favourites had to work for every inch, four teams kept their tournament dreams alive and now turn their attention to the main event.

Oman opened proceedings against Somalia at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, seeking redemption after narrowly missing out on FIFA World Cup qualification in October’s AFC play-offs.

The early exchanges reflected the stakes: cagey, physical, and decided on fine margins. Nasser Al Rawahi looked the most likely for Oman, seeing one effort well blocked in the first half before flashing a low shot just wide shortly after the restart.

Somalia, ranked 201 at the time of the draw, grew in belief as the minutes ticked by and almost stunned the crowd when captain Abdulsamed Abdullahi forced Ibrahim Al Mukhaini into a sharp save near the hour mark. Both sides struggled to carve out anything more clear-cut, and with neither able to find a breakthrough, the match moved straight to penalties.

In a bold twist, both coaches opted to change goalkeepers at the end of regulation time, but it was Oman’s substitute stopper Ibrahim Al Rajhi who seized the spotlight.

He saved the first and third Somali spot-kicks, giving his side the platform they needed. When Mohammed Al Ghafri calmly converted Oman’s fourth penalty, qualification was secure, and a place in Group B alongside Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Comoros was confirmed.

At Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Bahrain produced a professional performance to edge Djibouti 1-0 and book their passage to Group D.

The breakthrough arrived nine minutes before half-time, courtesy of smart pressing and a moment Djibouti goalkeeper Mouktar Youssouf will want to forget. Mohamed Marhoon fizzed a low ball into the box that should have been a routine take, but Youssouf spilled it at the feet of Mohamed Al Romaihi, who made no mistake from close range.

Matters worsened for Djibouti just seven minutes later when defender Ahmed Zakaria was sent off for an off-the-ball elbow on Mahdi Abduljabbar, leaving them to chase the game a man down.

Despite their numerical advantage, Bahrain were unable to fully kill the contest, though they came close when Komail Al-Aswad picked out Al Romaihi again, only for Youssouf to atone partially with an athletic diving save. It was enough for Dragan Talajic’s side, who now prepare for a challenging Group D featuring Algeria, Iraq, and Sudan.

If Bahrain’s victory was controlled, Sudan’s 2-1 win over Lebanon at Al Gharafa Stadium was anything but straightforward. The Falcons of Jediane entered the tie out of form and soon appeared to be facing another bleak evening when forward John Mano was dismissed midway through the first half after collecting two quick yellow cards.

Lebanon wasted little time capitalising on the extra man, seizing the lead on the half-hour mark as Mohamad Safwan swung in a dangerous cross that Khalil Khamis turned in from close range.

Lesser sides might have folded, but Sudan responded with grit and belief. Just before the break, a powerful strike from Mustafa Karshoum took a decisive deflection off Lebanon captain Mohamad Haidar and flew into the net for an own goal, handing Sudan a lifeline.

Buoyed by that equaliser, Sudan came out after half-time with renewed purpose, twice seeing efforts cleared off the line before finally completing the turnaround. With 16 minutes remaining, Yaser Jobak drove low at the near post and beat Mostafa Matar, sending Sudan’s bench and supporters into raptures.

There was still time for late drama as Lebanon pushed desperately for a leveller, but Sudan goalkeeper Monged Elneel produced a superb stoppage-time save from an Ali Kassas header to preserve the win and complete a remarkable ten-man comeback that earns them a Group D place.

The night’s final contest, at Grand Hamad Stadium, will live long in Arab Cup folklore as Comoros and Yemen shared eight goals in a 4-4 thriller before the islanders triumphed 4-2 on penalties.

Yemen started sharply and took the lead when Comoros goalkeeper Adel Anzimati failed to collect a corner cleanly, allowing Harwan Alzuabidi to nod in the loose ball. Comoros struck back when Zaid Amir was clipped in the area by Rami Alwasmani and Housseine Zakouani converted from the spot, but Yemen restored their advantage through a sweeping move finished by Nasser Algahwashi from an Abdulwasea Almatari cross.

Almatari then capped a devastating first half for Comoros by adding a third on the counter just before the interval. Zainou-Dine Mohamed gave Comoros hope shortly after the restart with a shot that deflected in off Osamah Anbar, only for another defensive lapse to let Almatari pounce again for his second of the night, re-establishing a two-goal cushion.

Facing elimination and a 4-2 deficit as the clock approached ninety minutes, Comoros mounted a stunning late surge. Amir calmly dispatched a second penalty following a handball to make it 4-3, then, deep into stoppage time, he latched onto a deflected defensive header to slam home the equaliser and force a shootout.

There, Anzimati redeemed his earlier mistake in emphatic fashion, saving two Yemeni penalties while his teammates kept their nerve from the spot. Fittingly, it was Amir who struck the decisive kick, sealing a comeback for the ages and sending Comoros into Group B.

As the qualifiers draw to a close, the Arab Cup group stage is now complete, with Bahrain, Comoros, Oman, and Sudan joining the region’s heavyweights in what promises to be a compelling tournament.

COLLATED RESULTS

Oman bt Somalia 0-0 (4-1 PSO)
Bahrain bt Djibouti 1-0
Sudan bt Lebanon 2-1
Comoros bt Yemen 4-4 (4-2 PSO)