{
  "id": 10929710,
  "title": "Drawing of lots sends Oman through to Gulf Cup semis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/drawing-of-lots-sends-oman-through-to-gulf-cup-semis",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-30T11:22:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport",
    "slug": "bbc-sport",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ck3reg044xzwo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Oman secured a place in the semi-finals of the Gulf Cup through an unusual method - a drawing of lots. The match-up came about after a thrilling 3-1 victory over Kuwait, leaving Oman and Iraq with identical records of four points. To decide which team would progress, organizers drew lots in the presence of relevant authorities. This decision came after considering several selection criteria, including head-to-head results, goal difference, number of goals scored, and disciplinary points.\n\nMusab Al-Shaqsy, Oman's player, was the one who gave Oman the winning edge, earning him the crucial third goal in the match against Iraq. However, this feat came at a cost - Al-Shaqsy picked up a yellow card for celebrating his goal by removing his shirt. With both Oman and Iran tied on all fronts except for the disciplinary record, Oman managed to stay ahead and was chosen for the semi-final.\n\nThis scenario is reminiscent of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, where Guinea edged past Mali in a similar situation. In 1990, during the World Cup in Italy, the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland were also caught in a tie-breaking predicament, with lots determining their final standings. Back in 1970, the Soviet Union and Mexico also needed this method to decide which team would be crowned group winners. Nowadays, drawing lots is an uncommon practice, with the final tie-breaker replaced by FIFA world rankings after 2022.",
  "summary": "Oman edge into the semi-finals of the Gulf Cup but they do so in extraordinary fashion after they are picked ahead of Iraq in the drawing of lots.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport Football",
        "title": "Drawing of lots sends Oman through to Gulf Cup semis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/drawing-of-lots-sends-oman-through-to-gulf-cup-semis-10929721",
        "published": "2026-09-30T11:22:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}