Oman clubbed with Iran, Tajikistan and North Korea in U17 Asian Cup

Oman Under-17 national team will face a tough assignment battling against strong Asian teams, including Iran, Tajikistan and North Korea, in Group D at the AFC Under-17 Asian Cup after the draw for the Asian finals was made on Thursday at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. All the confirmed and qualified 16 teams were divided into four groups, with the two toppers of each group advancing to the quarterfinal stage. The AFC U17 Asian Cup will act as a qualifier for the Fifa U17 World Cup Qatar 2025, which will feature the attendance of eight Asian teams for the first time in the newly expanded 48-team tournament. The hosts, Saudi Arabia, will vie for their third title as they meet Uzbekistan, Thailand and China in Group A. Asian heavyweights Japan will compete against Australia, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates in Group B, while Yemen will take on North Korea, Afghanistan and Indonesia in Group C.

The 20th edition of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup is set to take place in Saudi Arabia from April 3 to 20. It will mark Oman’s 12th qualification for the Asian Cup finals after they secured a top second-placed team ranking among the 10 qualifying groups. Oman were ranked fifth among the second-place qualifiers, following China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Iran.

Oman’s boys have a remarkable history in the Asian Cup, having won the title twice, in 1996 and 2000. They also represented the country on three major occasions at the Fifa U17 World Cup: in 1995 (finishing fourth), 1997 and 2001. With this qualification, the 'Junior Red Warriors' will make their 12th appearance in the Asian Cup, adding to their legacy in continental youth football.

Oman’s campaign in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers in Singapore last year began with a 5-0 win over the hosts Singapore, followed by a resounding 18-0 triumph over Guam. Although they lost to group leaders Tajikistan by 2-0, who won all three of their matches, Oman completed the group stage as runners-up in Group J with six points, securing their place in the Asian finals. Under the leadership of head coach Anwar al Habsi, Oman will aim to write a new success story in the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia and secure a berth in the Fifa U17 World Cup in Qatar in November.