MUSCAT: The Red Warriors kicked off their training sessions in the domestic preparatory camp on Tuesday at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex under the direct supervision of head coach Carlos Queiroz. The six-day gathering will serve as a vital step in the team’s build-up to the decisive stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 2026 – where Oman will face Qatar on October 8 and UAE on October 11 in Doha.
The camp began with an intensive training session in which the coaching staff placed emphasis on both technical and tactical aspects of the game. Players worked through drills that focused on fitness, ball control, short passing and attacking movements, alongside special sessions designed to sharpen their readiness for the upcoming challenge.
Speaking to the media ahead of the training session, Queiroz highlighted the significance of this stage in the national team’s journey. “We are raising the level of our training sessions as we approach the deciding matches against Qatar and UAE. We need to be more focused for these games. I am fully aware that the upcoming fixtures will be the most important matches in Oman’s team history, and that is why our full attention is on this camp and the preparations that follow,” the coach said.
Responding to the absence of Al Mundher al Alawi, Queiroz clarified that his decision was tactical. “There are a lot of players who were selected for different positions, and the focus was to give chances to new faces. This does not mean Al Mundher is out of my plans. He remains one of the pillars of the team and is performing at a high level. The final starting line-up is not yet settled as there is still much work to do,” he explained.
COACH’S PHILOSOPHY
Team captain Ali al Busaidy underlined the importance of adapting to the coach’s philosophy during this period. “As players, we need to gradually adapt to the coach’s style and ideas. These two matches are the most important of our careers, and we must be mentally and physically ready to give everything,” he said.
Veteran goalkeeper Faiz al Rushaidi affirmed the necessity of this local camp, despite on its brief duration. “It may seem unusual to hold a camp over such a short period but with a coach like Queiroz, we are assured on his technical works. The matches against Qatar and UAE will not be easy, and we need to work hard to come out of this camp with maximum benefit. The Central Asian Championship was a useful test for us, and now we know better what the coach expects.”
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