MUSCAT: The Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex is all set to host the prestigious AFC Cup 2023/24 final as Al Ahed FC will take on Australia's Central Coast Mariners in the concluding clash on Sunday. The football stadium in the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, which is under supervision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, is ready for hosting international matches and AFC approved the venue in Muscat to host the final for the first time ever.
In the recent years, the ministry had made some improvements in the stadium to be a perfect venue to host the mega events. One of the developments were the lighting which had changed by international standards and is appropriate for television coverage beside renovations of many other facilities inside the complex. The stadium originally had a capacity of over 40,000, but after recent renovations the capacity was reduced to 28,000.
The main stadium was the venue in the 19th Arabian Gulf Cup in 2009, and was also used in the 13th Arabian Gulf Cup competition in 1996. The Complex has strong security in addition to over 10,000 parking slots.
On the other side, both sides completed their preparations for the final clash as Lebanon’s Al Ahed FC will eye to lift the AFC Cup for the second time after they had won the cup in 2019 edition, while the first Australian side would like to create history by clinching the title.
Al Ahed FC secured slot in the final as they beat Oman’s Al Nahda 1-0 in the first leg in Kerbala, Iraq, while the second leg match ended in a 2-2 draw in Muscat.
Raafat Mohammed, head coach of Al Ahed club, affirmed in Muscat after Al Nahda match that they will do their level best to win the title. “I am confident that our team can deliver their top show in the final match to capture the triumph and win the title,” he said.
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