Fans to get free tickets for Oman-Iran match

Muscat, Jan 19 - The Sultanate has made all arrangements to get the maximum number of Omani fans to Abu Dhabi to support national team in its crucial round of 16 knockout match against Iran in the Asia Cup on Sunday.
The Ministry of Sports Affairs (MoSA) on Friday said it will buy all tickets allocated for the Oman Football Association (OFA) for the match against Iran at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
According to the official estimates, eight per cent, or 6,000 of the total 40,000 tickets (stadium seating capacity) will be offered free to fans through OFA.To ensure a hassle-free journey, Mwasalat said seven buses will be deployed to carry the fans to Abu Dhabi and support the team.
Three of its buses, which will be supported by Oman Arab Bank, will start from Seeb Stadium at 11 am on Sunday. “As of today, I plan to go on my own and not depend on free tickets. Anyway, I will be attending a training seminar in Dubai on Thursday,” said Khalid al Balushi, a senior technician in the oil and gas industry.

Telecom provider Omantel said it will support provision of additional buses to the venue and offer unlimited data in the UAE during the tournament.
The national team captain leader underlined the importance of fans’ presence at the stadium and said it played a prominent role in the team’s success in recent matches, including in this tournament.
Oman has advanced to the knockout stage of AFC Asian Cup for the first time after defeating Turkmenistan 3-1 in a Group F match on Thursday.
Oman’s reward for securing a spot in the UAE 2019 knockout stage for the first time in four appearances at the finals is a meeting with Group D winners on Sunday at the same venue.
Pim Verbeek, the national team coach, said, “Take nothing away from Oman as they fully deserve their spot in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Round of 16.” “We had a good 2018 and we expect to do well in the AFC Asian Cup. We were unlucky to lose to Uzbekistan as we conceded a late goal while we held our own against Japan, who are a very, very good side,” he said.