The Oman beach soccer team will take on Kyrgyzstan in their Group D opening clash of the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2023 on Friday. The match will start at 14:30 (Oman time) at the Jomtien Beach Arena in Pattaya.
In the same group, Kuwait will face Palestine at the same venue and the match will begin at 11:00 (Oman time). The 10th edition of the Asian Cup began on Thursday in Pattaya and will conclude on March 26.
Oman players will look to begin their campaign strongly, which will encourage the team members to give their top performance in the forthcoming matches in group stage.
Oman will enter the Asian event with the memories of 2015 when they were crowned as champions. Coach Talib Hilal’s men are very eager to clinch the title of the Asian championship.
“The team underwent an intensive preparation plan including friendly matches at home against Iran, Russia and Ukraine and overseas against Saudi Arabia. The team’s target in this event is to secure a slot in the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2023 and claim the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2023 trophy as well,” Talib said.
“The chances are equal for all the teams and it is quite difficult to predict the winner. Oman will work hard and we will deliver our best towards clinching the title,” the experienced Oman coach added.
On the other hand, Kyrgyzstan will be tough rivals as they have prepared very well for the Asian assignment. “The team was under training for 10 days at home besides a week in Pattaya and this shaped the players' readiness for competing in this major event,” Kyrgyzstan head coach Bakyt Rakhmanov said.
“The squad comprises young faces and this the second significant event for them. I have confidence in my team members despite the tough teams in our group. The team hopes to move into the next round,” he added.
The top three teams in AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2023 will qualify for the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2023.
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