Arabic version: عُمان تبلغ نصف نهائي كأس الخليج بعد سحب القرعة

According to BBC News, Oman reached the Gulf Cup semi-finals after being selected ahead of Iraq in a drawing of lots. The unusual final tie-breaker was required after Oman’s 3-1 victory over Kuwait left the sides level on four points in their group, with identical records in the stated selection criteria.

Organisers said lots were drawn only after applying the criteria set out in the regulations. Those measures included head-to-head results, goal difference, number of goals and disciplinary card points. The report said Oman and Iraq remained level until the final criterion was reached, requiring a draw in the presence of representatives of the concerned authorities.

Musab Al-Shaqsy’s booking against Kuwait proved significant in the sequence of tie-breakers. He was shown a yellow card after removing his shirt while celebrating Oman’s third goal late in the match. The report said the disciplinary calculation also ended level, leaving lots as the method to determine which team would progress.

Drawing lots has decided international tournament placings before. Guinea advanced over Mali at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations after the teams finished level in their group. At the 1990 World Cup, Ireland and the Netherlands needed lots to establish second and third place, while the Soviet Union were named Group One winners over Mexico by lots in 1970. The World Cup retained lots as a final tie-breaker until 2022, when it was replaced by the latest Fifa world rankings.