MUSCAT: Red Warriors are raring to go in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 and are all set in their desire to go further than last 16 round as they had reached to this round in the previous edition of the Asian Cup in UAE. With less than 48 hours, Oman national football team will commence their campaign in the Asian journey in
Doha against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday after several training sessions took place at the Qatar University Football Complex during the couple days ago.
Oman, under watchful eyes of the Croatian coach Branko Ivankovic, completed their preparations in style after registering two victories against UAE (1-0) and China (2-0) in their latest abroad camp in UAE, Abu Dhabi.
Head coach Branko utilised the opportunity to give his squad the chance to play and evaluate them during the matches beside impending different sets of teams technical tactics in both matches. Furthermore, the friendly games gave further picture for the coaching staff on the mistakes occurred in different areas including the defence and attacking sides. The head coach and his assisting team worked hard during the warm up sessions on improving those areas. Moreover, the focused were on training the players on snatching the proper scoring attempts and creating more attacking chances.
The goalkeepers including Ibrahim al Mukhaini, Fayez al Rushedi and Ahmed al Rawahi trained separately under the supervision of the goalies coaching staff. The training sessions were attended by the Oman's ambassador in Qatar Sayyid Ammar bin Abdullah al Busaidy and OFA officials.
Ahead of each training session, Coach Branko deliver an encouraging speech to the squad and directing them to deliver their best in this assignment. The scheduled training session on Saturday and Sunday will be closed for the media while the training session on Monday will be open for media people for the first 15 minutes.
Red Warriors will aim to register a strong start in the key Asian Cup opening match against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday 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.
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