MUSCAT: Oman will join Russia, Uzbekistan and Egypt in Group B for the second CIS Games for beach football competitions, which will be held in Belarus from August 4 to 14.
Group A comprises Belarus, Azerbaijan, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. The draw was held at the House of Football in Belarus recently.
Oman’s team will begin their campaign in the competitions on Saturday when they take on Uzbekistan. They meet Egypt on Sunday and Russia on Monday.
SEMI-FINALS
The two toppers from each group will advance to the semifinals of the event and the winner will move to the final.
Oman beach soccer players will utilise their attendance in this meet ahead of the 2024 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup in UAE to meet top teams like Egypt and the UAE.
Oman’s beach soccer team delegation arrived on Thursday in Belarus and the players commenced their training sessions.
Taking part in this international event is in line with the team’s preparation for the 2024 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup which will be held in Dubai from February 15 to 25, 2024.
Before travelling to Belarus, Coach Talib Hilal’s men gathered in a domestic preparatory camp at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
The coaching staff focused on fitness as the players reported to training sessions after a long gap.
The national experienced coach Talib Hilal opted for 12 players for the camp including Khaid al Araimi, Munthir al Araimi, Yahya al Murikhi, Amjad al Hamdani, Abdullah al Souti, Sami al Balushi, Nouh al Zadjali, Younis al Owaisi, Mishaal al Araimi, Al Yaqdhan al Hindasi, Ahmed al Owaisi and Nouh al Battashi.
The majority of the players took part in the last Arab Beach Soccer Championship and ANOC Asian qualifiers. The team finished runners-up in the event after they lost to Egypt 4-2 in the finals.
In another key event at ANOC World Beach Games, Oman’s beach soccer men lost to the UAE 3-2 in a tight clash in the Asian qualifiers.
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