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Saudi Arabia defeated Oman 2-1 in the first Group F match of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Alayyan, Qatar, on the 17th (Korea time).

It was Italian coach Roberto Mancini's debut match at the Asian Cup. Mancini, who led the Italian national team, Manchester City, and Inter Milan, signed a contract with Saudi Arabia for 28 million U.S. dollars per year and headed to the Asian stage. It is the highest annual salary among the coaches of the Asian Cup.

Manager Mancini also had a difficult debut at the Asian Cup.

Saudi Arabia ranked 56th in the FIFA rankings, while Oman ranked 74th. However, he allowed a penalty kick in the 14th minute of the first half while blocking Oman's counterattack, and dedicated the first goal to Salah al-Ayay. Abdulrahman Garev scored the equalizer in the 33rd minute of the second half, but 90 minutes passed.

South Korea, Japan, Iran, Australia, and Qatar were on the verge of becoming victims of the unusual situation, with the top seeds winning the first round side by side.

The extra time was eight minutes. Saudi Arabia presented Mancini with a dramatic victory. In the extra 6 minutes of the second half, Ali Bureich finished Garev's corner kick with a header. The offside flag of the assistant referee went up, but the goal was recognized through VAR.