Muscat: Two abroad preparatory camps in Qatar and Uzbekistan will shape Oman U20 football team players for the forthcoming AFC U-23 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan, which is scheduled to take place in Tashkent from March 1 to 18. The first external camp in Qatar will take place from February 11 to 19 while the next camp in Uzbekistan is scheduled from February 19 until the start of the tournament.
David Gordo, head coach of Oman U20 team, announced the probables of the domestic training camp which began on Wednesday in Muscat. The declared list featured two players from RC Celta de Vigo club (Spain) represented by Khalid al Sulaimi and Nasser al Saqri besides other members including: Turki Abdullah, Al Muhtadi al Abri, Jebran al Amri, Abdullah al Rajhi, Ayman al Nabhani, Abdullah al Afifi, Salah al Jadidi, Ahmed al Harmali, Osama al Rawahi, Osama al Mahrouqi, Salim al Abdali, Sultan al Marzooq, Al Mutasim al Sameen, Said al Ghanbousi, Mamoon al Oraimi, Musaab al Shamsi, Ahed al Mushaikhi, Mazin Saleh, Ali al Balushi and Mohammed Abdulhakeem.
Oman team began their actual warm-up for the Asian assignment in January through a domestic camp in Muscat from January 12. The preparatory match ended in a 1-1 draw. Salah al Jadidi scored for Oman in the 50th minute before the Chinese equalised in the 77th minute.
Dubai’s camp was very crucial for the players as they had played tough games and learnt from their strength and weakness areas. The coaching staff of the team are monitoring the readiness of the players ahead of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan. The ongoing local warm-up gathering is part of the team’s preparation for the Asian event where the head coach and his assistant are working to finalise the starting line-up prior to the Asian assignment.
Oman will face tough challenge in the Asian Cup as they will play against South Korea, Tajikistan and Jordan in Group C, while the hosts Uzbekistan will vie for the title with Indonesia, Iraq and Syria in Group A. Qatar will play against Australia, Vietnam and Iran in Group B. China will play against Saudi Arabia, Japan and Kyrgyzstan 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.
Couple of months ago, Oman U20 team had played two tough friendly matches against the Iran team. Both games had ended in favour of Iran. The visitors won the opening preparatory match 1-0 and the second match 2-1 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
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