Sektioui eyes future as Gulf Cup test

MUSCAT: Oman national football team head coach Tarik Sektioui said yesterday that the team’s next phase must be built on careful planning, gradual change and a clear long-term vision, as he outlined his plans ahead of the Gulf Cup and the AFC Asian Cup.
Speaking at a press conference held at Al Zain Hall at the Omantel building in Muscat, Sektioui reviewed his first months in charge, highlighting the three training camps held so far and the need to improve players’ physical and mental readiness.
The coach said one of the main issues he had identified was the lack of sufficient recovery time for players, particularly those exposed to a demanding season and frequent changes in coaching staff.
“Football is a science in its own right, and every detail matters,” Sektioui said, stressing that players need adequate periods of rest and recovery before returning to training. He also pointed to the mental impact of players working under five or six different coaches during a single season, saying the constant flow of different tactical instructions can leave players mentally overloaded.
Sektioui said such observations were not intended to focus on shortcomings, but rather to provide a realistic assessment of the situation and identify areas that need improvement.

Three camps, wider assessment
The coach explained that the first camp, held in April for five days, focused mainly on local players and gave the technical staff an opportunity to assess their technical, tactical and personal qualities.
The second camp, held in Indonesia in June and lasting 10 days, provided a broader assessment, with professional players joining the group and Oman facing two different opponents.
Sektioui said both matches provided valuable lessons, regardless of the results, stressing that teams must learn from victories as well as defeats.
The third camp helped the coaching staff further establish its working methods, particularly in defensive and attacking organisation, while developing the team’s identity and playing character.
The coach revealed that 56 players, including eight goalkeepers, had been monitored during the period, while 43 players, including six goalkeepers, were selected across the three camps.

Gradual renewal
Sektioui stressed that the renewal of the national team was being carried out gradually and responsibly rather than through sudden changes.
He highlighted the emergence of several players in the 20–21, 22–23 and 24–26 age groups, describing them as important elements for Oman’s future. He also said the technical staff was continuing to search for promising young goalkeepers and had considered holding a specialised camp for players under 23 and under 20.
“The process requires planning, commitment, dedication, intelligence and, above all, patience,” he said.
Sektioui also thanked the Oman Football Association, its board members and club presidents for their cooperation, particularly in facilitating the latest 10-day camp.

Gulf Cup as a platform
Looking ahead, Sektioui said Oman would enter the Gulf Cup with the objective of producing a strong performance and competing seriously, while acknowledging the strength of the teams involved.
He said the Gulf Cup should serve as an important platform ahead of the Asian Cup, where Oman’s ambition must go beyond simply progressing through the group stage.
“Our ambition is to go as far as possible,” he said, stressing that reaching advanced stages requires a clear plan and sustained work rather than simply setting ambitious targets.
Sektioui also called on the media to support the national team’s project by helping the public understand the direction of the programme, emphasising that everyone involved shares the same objective: developing Omani football and building a stronger national team for the future.