Oman hunts for next Ali al Habsi as goalkeeping coaches call for national project

MUSCAT: Finding and developing a goalkeeper capable of reaching the highest levels of the game is one of the most demanding tasks in football. Unlike many other positions, goalkeeping requires a combination of technical ability, physical attributes, tactical awareness, mental strength and leadership qualities that must be developed over many years.
For Oman, the success story of former national team goalkeeper Ali al Habsi remains a benchmark. His career, which saw him establish himself as one of the country's most successful footballers and compete at the highest levels of the game, has also raised an important question for Omani football: how can the country identify and develop another goalkeeper capable of following a similar pathway?
Oman Observer spoke to a number of experienced Omani goalkeeping coaches, who agreed that producing another Al Habsi does not depend on individual talent alone. Instead, they believe Oman needs a structured national project dedicated specifically to identifying, developing and monitoring young goalkeepers across all the governorates. One of the key proposals is the creation of a national goalkeeper development programme that brings together leading goalkeeping coaches from across the Sultanate of Oman. Under such a programme, coaches would travel to schools, academies and clubs in different governorates to identify promising youngsters rather than waiting for talented children to enter established football centres.
GOOD BASE
Former Oman Olympic team goalkeeping coach Jassim al Dohani believes the country already has a good base of goalkeepers, but greater attention is required in specific areas. He pointed to Ibrahim al Mukhaini as the leading goalkeeper in recent years at international level, while noting that Oman also has experienced alternatives such as Fayez al Rushaidi and Ibrahim al Rajhi. “The level is good, but there are areas that need further development,” Al Dohani said. “One of the areas that requires greater attention is dealing with crosses, as well as developing the goalkeeper’s personality and leadership qualities.”
For Al Dohani, the answer lies in taking the search for talent directly to the young players. “We need a national programme involving a group of specialist goalkeeping coaches to identify young goalkeepers through schools and clubs across the governorates,” he said. “We should not wait for the child to come to the goalkeeper centre. We should go to the child and discover the talent.”

He also believes schools can play a major role through physical education classes and school competitions, with basic assessments focusing on reaction speed, balance, coordination, concentration and courage.
At club level, he called for dedicated programmes for young goalkeepers and better training for coaches in identifying and developing goalkeeping talent. The psychological side of goalkeeping is another important consideration. According to Al Dohani, many young players avoid the position because of the fear of making mistakes and carrying responsibility in front of team-mates and spectators.
“The role of goalkeeping coaches is to change this perception,” he said. “Instead of allowing the goalkeeper to fear mistakes, we need to make the player understand that he is an important player and a leader within the team.”
FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT
Oman Olympic team goalkeeping coach Hassan al Naimi believes attracting children to the position requires a complete project combining football development, education, promotion and an enjoyable training environment. He proposed a series of initiatives including open talent — identification days, specialised goalkeeping schools and academies, social media campaigns, greater involvement of parents, enjoyable training programmes, goalkeeper-specific competitions and stronger cooperation with schools.
Al Naimi suggested that the initiative could be launched under the title 'Future Goalkeeper', creating a national platform to identify and develop promising young goalkeepers. “Recruiting children to goalkeeping does not depend only on training,” Al Naimi said. “It requires an integrated project that combines marketing, education and an attractive training environment, while also benefiting from the experience of former goalkeepers and highly qualified coaches.”
He believes the position needs to become more attractive to youngsters. “In most football festivals and competitions, attention is focused on outfield players, while goalkeepers do not always receive enough opportunities to demonstrate their abilities,” he said. “Specialised programmes and goalkeeper festivals should become part of the football development strategy.”
Al Naimi also stressed that specialist goalkeeping coaches should be present across the different age groups. “The goalkeeper is different from other players in terms of technical skills, physical requirements and mental aspects, and therefore needs specialised preparation from the early years,” he said. “A specialist goalkeeping coach is a long-term investment. A good goalkeeper is not produced in one season; he is built over many years of systematic and specialised training.”
The question of physical development, particularly height, also generated discussion among the coaches. Al Naimi believes height can provide an advantage but should not become a reason to overlook talented youngsters.
“The most important qualities in a young goalkeeper are not necessarily height, but the correct technical foundation, game intelligence and strong personality,” he said. “The successful goalkeeper combines intelligence, technical ability, personality and quick decision-making. Physical characteristics then complement these qualities.”
He identified courage, learning ability, discipline, football intelligence and a genuine desire to play and improve as qualities that are difficult to teach.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Sur-based football academy goalkeeping coach and former Oman junior national team goalkeeper Awadh al Alawi, however, believes physical characteristics remain an important part of the overall equation. “A goalkeeper is half the team and sometimes the entire team,” Al Alawi said. “To compete at any level, you need a goalkeeper with strong physical, technical and leadership qualities.”
He called for greater investment in specialist goalkeeping coaches within academies and youth teams, arguing that not every goalkeeping coach is necessarily equipped to work with children. “Not every goalkeeping coach is suitable to develop young goalkeepers,” he said. “We need qualified coaches who specialise in youth development, particularly in academies and development centres.”
Al Alawi also called for specialised training equipment, camps for the best young goalkeepers and regular visits by the football authorities to monitor their progress.
STANDARD FOR OMANI GOALKEEPERS
Oman U-19 team goalkeeping coach Mohammed al Zidi believes the standard of Omani goalkeepers has improved in recent years, despite challenges including limited opportunities for overseas professional development. He highlighted the emergence of goalkeepers such as Ibrahim al Mukhaini and Ibrahim al Rajhi at national-team level, as well as several promising goalkeepers competing domestically.
For Al Zidi, making goalkeeping attractive to youngsters is essential. “Children need to understand that the goalkeeper is half the team and a leader on the field,” he said. “Training should also be enjoyable and engaging. Small incentives for good saves or winning goalkeeper challenges can encourage children to continue in the position.”
He also suggested inviting established goalkeepers to training sessions as role models, while ensuring young goalkeepers receive sufficient opportunities to play matches.
The coaches agreed on a proposal for a 'Future Goalkeeper' project that could become a nationwide talent pathway, with specialist coaches visiting different governorates, conducting goalkeeper assessment days, organising camps and competitions, and maintaining long-term performance records for promising players.