Muscat: Oman edged Syria 2-1 in an international friendly at Shabab Al Ahli Stadium in Dubai on Friday night as part of the team’s preparation for the upcoming Arabian Gulf Cup.
The Arabian Gulf Cup will take place in Basra, Iraq during January 6-19, 2023.
Essam al Subhi (22nd minute) and Motaz Saleh (58th minute) scored the Red Warriors goals in the fixture.
Ahmed al Ashqar scored the goal for the Syrian team.
Both teams will meet again in another warm-up game that is scheduled on Friday at the same venue.
Oman head coach Branko Ivankovic began the match with a starting line-up that featured Fayez al Rushaidi as the goalkeeper while Ahmed al Khamisi, Fahmi bait Durbeen, Ahmed al Kaabi and Amjad al Harthi formed the defence. Playmaker Harib al Saadi led the midfield with Mousab al Mamari, Mahmood al Mashaefri and Yazeed al Mashani. Al Mundher al Alawi and Essam al Subhi were the strikers in the front line.
The team reported back to the daily training sessions in the ongoing abroad camp in Dubai. The coaching staff will focus in the remaining sessions on the harmony among the players ahead of the Gulf Cup assignment. In the coming days, the Croatian coach will announce the final squad who will represent the Red Warriors in the upcoming Gulf Cup.
After the second preparatory game, the Branko Ivankovic-coached team will depart to Basra city in Iraq to take part in the Arabian Gulf Cup.
Oman will play against hosts Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Yemen in Group A while holders Bahrain will defend their title in Group B which comprises Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE. The Red Warriors will commence their campaign in the tournament with a tough match against Iraq in the opening match on January 6. Oman will then face Yemen on January 9 and they will conclude group matches with a match against Saudi Arabia on January 12.
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