Oman take on S Korea in crunch WC qualifier today
Published: 05:03 PM,Mar 19,2025 | EDITED : 09:03 PM,Mar 19,2025
The Red Warriors will eye to clinch full points to revive their hopes in securing a direct slot.
MUSCAT: The runners-up of Arabian Gulf Cup, Oman, will return to action of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 as they will take on group toppers South Korea in a tough clash in the latter’s home in Goyang on Thursday. The match will kick off at the Goyang Stadium at 3 pm (Oman Time). In the other matches of the same group, hosts Iraq will face Kuwait while Jordan will meet Palestine in Amman.
As four more rounds to go, the Red Warriors will eye to clinch full points to revive their hopes in securing a direct slot or advancing to the play-offs for the additional two tickets to the finals. Oman, chasing qualification for the Fifa World Cup for the first time in history, will also be confident to end the remaining games of the qualifiers on a positive note. On the other side, the opponents are well placed to confirm their ticket to the World Cup as two more wins may well be enough to confirm their 11th successive appearance on the global stage.
The team, coached by Rasheed Jaber, had some training sessions at Goyang Stadium which will host Thursday's encounter. During the training sessions, the domestic experienced coach and his assistant coach Yaqoob al Sabahi besides other members in the technical coaching staff focused on different aspects including practices on creating attempts from different sides, utilising the scoring attempts and other dedicated technical sessions. The 61-year-old studied all the alternatives of replacing Mohammed al Musallami and Harib al Saadi who will be missed in the starting line-up for the Thursday’s clash.
The last two joiners to the national team camp in South Korea were Issam al Subhi of Iraqi Air Force Team (Al Quwa Al Jawiya) and Mohsin al Ghassani (Bangkok United SC).
“Iraq league is one of the developed league in the region. It is very competitive and I learned a lot during the last games with the team. I will work hard to convert this experience into the national team,” Al Subhi said.
“The team’s preparations are going very well and we are almost adapted with the cold weather,” he added.
“It is very great experience for me with Bangkok United SC at the Thai League. I managed to earn a new experience and still the experiment is going on. The weather is very cold in South Korea but this is not an excuse. We will deliver our outmost performance to register positive result,” Mohsin said.
“These kind of matches normally depend on small details and we will work hard to snatch the scoring attempts. Technical team and the players are fully aware of the importance of this encounter and will do our best in 90 minutes,” he concluded.
Oman are currently placed fourth in Group B, with six points from two wins and four defeats. South Korea are topping the group with 14 points while Iraq are second with 11 points. Jordan are in third place with nine points. The first two teams in each group of the Asian qualifiers will secure direct spots while third and fourth place will enter additional qualifying stages.
As four more rounds to go, the Red Warriors will eye to clinch full points to revive their hopes in securing a direct slot or advancing to the play-offs for the additional two tickets to the finals. Oman, chasing qualification for the Fifa World Cup for the first time in history, will also be confident to end the remaining games of the qualifiers on a positive note. On the other side, the opponents are well placed to confirm their ticket to the World Cup as two more wins may well be enough to confirm their 11th successive appearance on the global stage.
The team, coached by Rasheed Jaber, had some training sessions at Goyang Stadium which will host Thursday's encounter. During the training sessions, the domestic experienced coach and his assistant coach Yaqoob al Sabahi besides other members in the technical coaching staff focused on different aspects including practices on creating attempts from different sides, utilising the scoring attempts and other dedicated technical sessions. The 61-year-old studied all the alternatives of replacing Mohammed al Musallami and Harib al Saadi who will be missed in the starting line-up for the Thursday’s clash.
The last two joiners to the national team camp in South Korea were Issam al Subhi of Iraqi Air Force Team (Al Quwa Al Jawiya) and Mohsin al Ghassani (Bangkok United SC).
“Iraq league is one of the developed league in the region. It is very competitive and I learned a lot during the last games with the team. I will work hard to convert this experience into the national team,” Al Subhi said.
“The team’s preparations are going very well and we are almost adapted with the cold weather,” he added.
“It is very great experience for me with Bangkok United SC at the Thai League. I managed to earn a new experience and still the experiment is going on. The weather is very cold in South Korea but this is not an excuse. We will deliver our outmost performance to register positive result,” Mohsin said.
“These kind of matches normally depend on small details and we will work hard to snatch the scoring attempts. Technical team and the players are fully aware of the importance of this encounter and will do our best in 90 minutes,” he concluded.
Oman are currently placed fourth in Group B, with six points from two wins and four defeats. South Korea are topping the group with 14 points while Iraq are second with 11 points. Jordan are in third place with nine points. The first two teams in each group of the Asian qualifiers will secure direct spots while third and fourth place will enter additional qualifying stages.