Muscat: The Oman U17 national team opened its external training camp in Thailand with a narrow, non-impactful loss in its first friendly match, falling 2-1 to the Thai U17 team. The match highlighted several technical aspects that the coaching staff aims to address before the start of the AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers later this month. The camp runs until November 20 as part of the final preparation phase for Group 7, which includes hosts Myanmar, Syria, Afghanistan and Nepal.
Despite the defeat, the team delivered a solid performance in long stretches of the game. Forward Turki al Ghassani scored Oman’s only goal with a well-taken finish after following up inside the box, translating one of the organised attacks in which the Red Squad posed real danger.
However, Thailand capitalised on home advantage and its high-tempo play to secure the win with two goals to one.
The team is now preparing for its second friendly on Sunday, when it faces the Kuwait U17 team in a match considered a crucial step before the qualifiers. Oman aim to bounce back from the opening loss and achieve a morale-boosting result that strengthens player confidence and provides the technical staff with clearer indications of overall readiness. This game is expected to be the final friendly before the squad travels to Myanmar.
Oman will begin their Asian Cup qualifying campaign on November 24 against Syria, a match that will set the tone for the team’s journey as it strives for a strong start and a place in the finals.
Training-camp indicators suggest a noticeable rise in both physical intensity and tactical focus. The coaching staff is working to correct defensive errors that appeared in the Thailand match, while also enhancing cohesion across the team’s three lines.
The coaching team is giving opportunities to as many players as possible during the friendlies, aiming to accurately assess full readiness and select the most suitable starting lineup for the qualifiers. There are also positive signs regarding the development of several young players, particularly in midfield.
The AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers will kick off on November 22 and run until November 30. The participating teams have been divided into seven groups, with only the group winners securing direct qualification to the finals, which will be hosted by Saudi Arabia next year.
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