The forthcoming edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan will kick off the return of age-group tournaments following the Covid-19 enforced disruption during the past two years.
Oman U-20 football team will begin their final preparation for the Asian assignment in the new year as a domestic camp is scheduled from January 12 in Muscat. The internal preparatory gathering will be followed by an external camp in month of February and then the team will travel to Tashkent city before end of February.
The head coach of Oman U-20 football team, David Gordo, confirmed in his previous remarks to Oman Daily Observer that the focus is to shape the players properly for the Asian Cup.
The team’s last appearance was in this month through a 10-day camp in Muscat. The domestic camp of the national team featured two strong friendly matches against the Iran team. The hosts lost the opening preparatory match 1-0 and Iran prevailed in the next match 2-1 at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
Both matches showed different technical readings for the coaching staff on the player’s performance and fitness ahead of finalising the squad.
The next camp in January may include friendly matches which will be unveiled soon after confirmation by national teams committee. Also, the destination of the abroad preparatory camp of February will be released in due course after obtaining the final confirmation.
Oman are grouped in Group C in the AFC U20 Asian Cup with South Korea, Tajikistan and Jordan. The AFC U-20 Asian Cup is scheduled to take place in Tashkent from March 1 to 18, 2023. 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 U-20 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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