MUSCAT: Oman’s national under-17 football team achieved a well-deserved 4–2 victory over Bahrain in their first friendly match, held at the Bahrain Football Association Stadium as part of their ongoing training camp in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which continues until the 20th of this month. The camp comes within the framework of both teams’ preparations for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers scheduled for November.
Oman’s goals were scored by Abdullah al Saadi (2), Bashar al Shamsi, and Saad al Maamari. The young Reds delivered a strong performance characterised by attacking precision and tactical discipline, allowing them to dominate the match and secure the win.
The team is scheduled to play a second friendly match against Bahrain on Monday evening at the same venue. The coaching staff, led by Ahmed Salem Bait Said, aims to make the most of the camp by testing various formations, implementing appropriate tactical plans, and improving overall team performance ahead of the upcoming qualifiers.
The team began its intensive preparation programme for the AFC qualifiers on October 12 with a domestic training camp at the Seeb Sports Complex, where the coaching staff focused on improving players’ physical fitness and technical aspects. The squad later traveled to Bahrain to continue its preparations through an external camp that includes two friendly matches.
AFC ASIAN QUALIFIERS
Oman’s under-17 national team will compete in Group G of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers, hosted by Myanmar, alongside Afghanistan, Myanmar (host), Syria and Nepal.
According to the Asian Football Confederation’s regulations, the matches will be played in a single round-robin format, with the top team from each of the seven groups qualifying directly for the finals, which will be held in Saudi Arabia in May 2026.
Oman will kick off its qualifying campaign against Syria on November 24, followed by matches against Nepal (November 26), Myanmar (November 28), and Afghanistan (November 30).
The coaching staff hopes that this intensive preparation will enable the young Reds to make a strong start and secure qualification for the upcoming continental finals.
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