Doha, Qatar: Saudi grit crushes Group F’s advantage in thrilling Asian Cup opener. Saudi Arabia’s championship strength shined through in a heart-stopping game at the Khalifa International Stadium as they rallied from a surprise deficit to win their AFC Asian Cup Group F opener 2-1 over Oman.

The Green Falcons, widely tipped as contenders, found themselves staring down the barrel after Salaah Al-Yahyaei coolly converted a penalty inside the quarter-hour mark. But true to their pedigree, Saudi Arabia refused to buckle, weathering the early storm and gradually exerting their dominance.

The equaliser arrived in the 78th minute, a moment of composure amidst the rising tension. Abdurahman Gharib, expertly set up by Ali Lajmi, slotted home with a calm finish, sending a jolt of electricity through the Saudi bench and roaring fans.

Ali Al-Bulayhi then appeared just as the game appeared to be headed for a share of the spoils. With the clock ticking towards stoppage time, the husky safeguard rose most noteworthy to meet a drifted cross, his slug header nestling in the Oman net to light a chaos of festivity.