Muscat: The head coach of Oman U-20 football team, David Gordo, said that the team is undergoing intensive training ahead of the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan in 2023. The Spanish coach told the Observer that the team concluded a 10-day camp in Muscat on Wednesday.
The domestic camp of the national team ended with another loss against Iran at 2-1 at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Tuesday. The team had lost in the opening preparatory match against Iran at 1-0.
“ Despite the result of the both friendly matches, the team is in good condition and the players are developing their technical performance. Our focus is to shape the players properly for the Asian assignment. The Iran team is considered as one of the favourite teams in Asia. They are a very strong team and have top players. The national team boys got the chance to play against them and have the right environment ahead of Asian event,” the coach said.
The head coach of Oman U-20 football team began the match with the starting lineup that included Mazin Saleh as a goalkeeper. Ayman al Nabhani took a place in the defending line beside Turki bait Rabee, Salim al Abdali and Osama al Mahruqi. The mid-field was managed by Ahed al Mushekhi and assisted by Abdullah al Anbouri, Ali al Balushi, Mohammed Abdulhakeem and Abdulmajeed al Balushi. Salah al Jadidi was in the front as an attacker.
Commenting on the team’s forthcoming plan, the 52-year-old coach responded that the team will return to training camps in January. “ In the middle of January, the team will have another domestic warm up camp in Muscat or Dhofar. This camp may feature two preparatory matches against the Iraq team but this to be confirmed soon. In February, the plan is to have an abroad camp near Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan. It will be a good chance for the players to adapt with the weather condition prior to the Asian task. We are working to have some more friendly matches in the months of February and March,” he said.
The AFC U20 Asian Cup is scheduled to take place in Tashkent from March 1 to 18, 2023. Oman is in Group C with South Korea, Tajikistan and Jordan. The hosts Uzbekistan will compete with Indonesia, Iraq and Syria in Group A while Qatar will try to secure a berth in quarterfinals as they will meet Australia, Vietnam and Iran in Group B.
Defending champions Saudi Arabia, Japan, China and Kyrgyzstan are in Group D. The top four teams in the Asian finals will confirm their presence in the Fifa U20 World Cup 2023, which will return to Asia in Indonesia from May 20 to June 11.
Oman Squad: Turki Abdullah, Al Muhatadi al Abri, Mohammed al Aufi, Abdullah al Rajhi, Al Muntasir al Maawali, Salim al Shammakhi, Moamin al Souli, Mulhim al Hadhrami, Osama al Rawahi,Salim al Abdali,Abdullah al Anbouri, Said al Ghanbousi, Al Harith al Mukhaini, Mosab al Shamsi, Abdulaleem al Rawahi, Ahed al Mushekhi , Mazin Saleh, Al Muhannad al Habsi, Abdulmajeed al Balushi, Ali al Balushi, Salah al Jadidi, Ayman al Nabhani and Mohammed Abdulhakim.
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