Oman begin their 25th Arabian Gulf Cup campaign with a strong tussle against hosts Iraq in the opening match at the Basra International Stadium in Iraq on Friday.
The organising committee of the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup announced a change of timings for the opening day. The opening ceremony of the tournament will take place at 6.45 pm (Oman Time) and the opening match between Iraq and Oman will be at 8 pm.
The second match of the day between Gulf heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Yemen will kick-off at 10.45 pm.
Oman head coach Branko Ivankovic said the Red Warriors are poised for a tough battle for the title in the regional showpiece.
“Iraq is a strong team, especially at home. They are better than us in the Fifa rankings but we didn’t come to participate in the tournament. We are ready for a tough battle to clinch the title,” the Croatian coach said in his comments during the pre-match press conference.
In the latest Fifa ranking Oman are 75th while Iraq are ranked 68th.
Ivankovic said the Oman squad is well set after good training camps.
“We are ready to do our best and we know that the stands will be full with the return of the championship to Iraq. The tournament is like a ‘mini World Cup’ and we approach it with great ambition to achieve the title.”
The Oman coach said his team is mostly a young bunch of players.
“We participate with a team mostly of young people to gain experience in order to build the future of Omani football,” he added.
Oman midfielder Hareb al Saadi said the players are ready to make a mark.
“We will put our best in the tournament. The opening match will be tough but we are ready for any opposition after a good training camp and a couple of friendlies,” Al Saadi said.
Iraq head coach Jesus Casas said he is confident with his squad and promised an impressive performance.
“I am happy with the squad that is taking part in the tournament. I have seen them train and know what they are capable of. I feel confident entering the tournament,” Casas said.
“We are proud to play in front of our home fans. I know Oman is a tough opponent. It will be a tough match but we will strive for a positive result,” the Spanish coach, who took charge of Iraq national team in November 2022, said.
In the head-to-head statistics, Oman and Iraq had played nine matches. Iraq have won four while Oman have won twice and three matches were drawn.
Oman have prepared for the Gulf Cup with a training camp in Dubai and posted two wins against Syria during the international friendlies during the camp.
Iraq on the other hand are buoyant after a 1-0 win against Kuwait in a preparatory match on Wednesday. The match was held at the new Al Minaa Olympic Stadium, one of the venues for the Gulf Cup.
BASRA READY
Meanwhile Mohammed Nassar, Deputy Chairman of the Gulf 25 organising committee, said all the major stadiums and training grounds are completely ready.
“Basra is fully ready to launch the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup. All the major and the training stadiums are well arranged for the tournament. The organising committee is confident about the preparation on all fronts to deliver a successful tournament,” Nassar told Qatar News Agency.
Red Warriors face hosts Iraq in Gulf Cup opener
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