Oman U17 team all set for Gulf Cup in Qatar

MUSCAT: The Oman Under-17 national football team intensified its preparations ahead of their participation in the Gulf Cup Championship which will begin in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday and run until October 2. The tournament is organised by the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) in cooperation with the Qatar Football Association.

Oman’s delegation, headed by Ali al Kathiri of the Oman Football Association (OFA), arrived in Doha on Thursday. The young Red Warriors immediately resumed training sessions at the Qatar University green field under the guidance of Ahmed Bait Said, who has been entrusted with the role of interim head coach.

Oman were drawn into Group A alongside hosts Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Group B was comprised of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals.

The team will open their campaign against the UAE on Sunday at Suhaim bin Hamed Stadium, followed by a crucial clash against Qatar on Wednesday at Hamad Stadium in Al Arabi Club. Their final group-stage encounter will be against Yemen on September 27 at Suhaim bin Hamed Stadium.

Oman were drawn into Group A alongside hosts Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

BUILDING FOR FUTURE

The Oman U17s began their Gulf Cup preparations with a domestic camp at Seeb Stadium, where the first phase concluded two weeks ago. The second phase continued ahead of their departure to Doha. In parallel, the team is also working towards their next major challenge which is represented by the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers, scheduled to take place in Myanmar from November 22 to 30. Oman are placed in Group G alongside Afghanistan, Syria, Nepal and hosts Myanmar.

Speaking ahead of the Gulf Cup, coach Ahmed Bait Said underlined the team’s objectives. “Our purpose for this Gulf Cup is not only to participate but to compete. At the same time, this championship is a stepping stone to prepare for the Asian Qualifiers. We are working hard to raise the players’ readiness for both events”.

The coach expressed his gratitude to the OFA for placing the confidence in him to lead the squad.

Oman U17 Squad:

Abdullah al Saadi, Bashar al Shamsi, Mohammed al Jabri, Namar al Amri, Mubarak al Amri, Eyad al Mushefri, Turki al Ghassani, Mohammed al Mushefri, Mouadh al Hinai, Abdullah al Zaabi, Saleh Hashim, Nadir al Nobi, Hassan Emad, Nayer Said, Ghazi Mummar, Saleh al Balushi, Majd Sadiq, Mohammed Ahmed, Sultan al Balushi, Ahmed al Yahmadi, Turki al Ruzaiqi, Al Azher al Hadabi, Nizar al Sulaimi, Mundher al Hadhrami, Awab al Shukhaili, AbdulRahman al Hashmi, Ali al Buraidi, Hassan al Saadi, Ilyas al Ghadani, Mohammed al Aghbari, Al Khatab al Rawahi, Al Yasa al Busaidy, Jassim al Bahri and Saad al Maamari.