MUSCAT: Red Warriors are all in best shape to begin their action in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 after registering positive moral wins against UAE and China in the friendly matches during the concluded overseas camp in UAE.
Oman national team ended their long external preparatory camp in Abu Dhabi on a bright note after they blanked UAE 1-0 on Saturday at Al Nahyan Stadium. The match goal was scored by Abdullah Fawaz in the fifth minute of the game after he sent a strong ball which found the net.
Earlier on December 29, Red Warriors had claimed their first win in the camp against China 2-0 in Abu Dhabi. Oman’s both goals were scored in the second half by Arshad al Alawi (49th minute) and Mohsin al Ghassani (65th minute) respectively.
Oman players showed top technical performance during the match especially in the first half as they determined the game through many scoring attempts. The defending line produced good show and managed to break all the experiments from the rivals team. Coach Branko Ivankovic began the final warm up game with a starting line up that featured from Ibrahim al Mukhaini as a goalkeeper. The defending line comprised from Ahmed al Khamisi, Ahmed al Kaabi, Kahlid al Buraiki and Arshad al Alawi. Harib al Saadi captain of the team monitored the middle line accompanied by Abdullah Fawaz, Jameel al Yahmadi and Salah al Yahyaee. The strikers in the front were Esam al Subhi and Mohsin al Ghassani.
Salah al Yahyaee was the active man from the national team side as he created many chances towards the opponents goalie of Khalid Issa. Esam al Subhi and Jameel al Yahmadi got some chances in front of the target but they missed. The level of the national team dropped in the second half of the team as the hosts worked hard to score the equlaiser but they faced strong defending line and good saver by goalie Ibrahim al Mukhaini. Coach Ivankovic made many substitutes by entering Zahir al Aghbari, Ali al Busaidy, Motaz Saleh, Abdulrahman al Mushaifri, Abdullah al Musharafi and Fahmi Dorbeen.
The Oman national team delegation will be heading off to Qatar’s capital city Doha on Monday to take part in the 18th edition of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 which will be held from January 12 to February 10. The player’s are under positive and high ambitious to raise the flag of the country high in this continental major participation. Oman team will chase going away in this edition of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 by reaching further in the knockout stage as Red Warriors had reached in last 16 round in the previous edition in the UAE.
Red Warriors completed all their planned training sessions under the watchful eyes of head coach Branko Ivankovic and his assistant coaching staff ahead of their key Asian Cup opening match against Saudi Arabia on January 16 at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. Then, they will face a confident Southeast Asian team Thailand on January 21 at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium before concluding their group matches against Kyrgyzstan on January 25 in the same venue. Oman squad are fit and raring to go and there is no injury. The team will commence their training sessions in Doha at Qatar’s University Complex.
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