MUSCAT: The Oman national football team has arrived in the Qatari capital of Doha on Monday to take part in the 18th edition of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. The continental tournament, organised by the Asian Football Confederation, is being held every four years.
Sayyid Ammar bin Abdullah al Busaidy, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Qatar, received Oman delegation at the Qatar airport.
The championship was scheduled to be held in China but due to the coronavirus pandemic it was moved to Qatar to be held from January 12 to February 10.
As many as 24 teams will participate in the Asian Cup, which were divided into 6 groups, 4 teams in each group. The topper and second-placed teams from each group will qualify directly for the Round 16, and best four third-placed teams will join them.
The draw placed Oman team in Group 6 alongside Saudi Arabia, the three-time Asian Cup champions, Thailand and Kyrgyzstan.
The Red Warriors prepare for the first appearance against Saudi Arabia team on January 16 at Khalifa International Stadium, the oldest stadium in Qatar, opened in 1976 and can accommodate 46,000 spectators.
Oman 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.
The national team's ambitions have rose after the last competition against the UAE and China at the end of the preparation camp in Abu Dhabi.
According to the Oman coach plan, the team will train in two periods, the morning session at 11 am and the evening session at 7 pm at the Qatar University Stadium.
Oman qualified for the AFC Asian Cup for the fifth time in their history, and consecutively for three editions. The most notable achievement was surpassing the group stage for the first time in the UAE edition in 2019, but they lost to Iran 2-0 in the last 16.
Fayez al Rushaidi, Oman goalkeeper is the oldest player in the team, born in 1988, followed by Harib al Saadi in 1990, and Ali al Busaidy in 1991. Meanwhile Dhofar Club striker Abdullah al Mishrafi is the youngest player, born in 2001, Arshad al Alawi in 2000 and Musab al Maamari in 2000.
The Omani players who played the most international matches are Harib al Saadi who played 79 matches, Ali al Busaidy (77 matches) and Fayez al Rushaidi with 76 matches.
For the first time, Oman national team’s roster will be devoid of the name of Ahmed Kanu, who participated in their previous editions, and played in 13 matches, scoring one goal.
Oman had won the regional tournament Gulf Cup twice in their most prominent achievement. They emerged Gulf champions in the 19th edition in Muscat (2009) after beating Saudi Arabia in the final. The Red Warriors won their second title when they edged UAE in penalties in the final of the 23rd edition in Kuwait (2017-18).
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