UAE stormed into the lead inside the opening minute after Rashed Eid rose highest to squeeze in a header at the far post after Abbas Ali’s initial attempt took a heavy deflection.

Oman restore parity four minutes later when Nooh Al Zadjali chipped the ball to Salim Al Oraimi who squared it to Sami Al Bulushi for a simple tap-in.

A lapse in concentration from Waleed Beshr in the ninth minute saw Musallam Al Raimi nipping in to put Oman ahead before a Rashid Obaid overhead kick in the 11th minute drew UAE level.

Oman, however, went into the first interval in front after a quickly taken corner kick by Musallam picked out Yahya Al Muraiki to thump home a header.

Two minutes into the second period, Oman made it 4-2 after Salim was given time and space to execute an acrobatic attempt that whizzed into the top corner.

UAE tried to force their way back but found Oman custodian Youis Al-Owaisi to be a stumbling block, stopping strikes from Humaid Jamal and Obaid.

UAE tried to force their way back but found Oman custodian Youis Al-Owaisi to be a stumbling block, stopping strikes from Humaid Jamal and Obaid.

Soaking the pressure, Oman hit UAE on the counter with Abdullah Salim nodding forward for Al Zadjali to run onto before slotting past the on-rushing Mohamed Abdulla in the final minute of the second period.

Oman added two more goals through Musallam (32nd, 36th) with UAE’s Obaid sent off for a handball late on as the 2015 champions sealed their berth in the semi-finals.