Muscat, April 2
Oman’s national hockey team will launch its campaign in the 2026 Asian Games Qualifier on Friday, when it takes on Indonesia in its opening Group A match. Oman are hoping to secure one of the available qualification spots for the next Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, scheduled from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
The qualifier is being held in Bangkok from April 2 to 10 after it was officially moved from Muscat. The tournament features nine teams divided into two groups, with four teams advancing to the 2026 Asian Games.
Muscat had originally been due to host the qualifier from March 28 to April 5, before the Olympic Council of Asia announced that the event had been shifted to the Thai capital due to disturbances in the Middle East. While the change altered the hosting arrangements, it did not affect Oman’s ambitions of making a strong run in the competition.
Group A includes Oman, Hong Kong China, Thailand, Kazakhstan and Indonesia, while Group B features Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan.
According to the national team’s match schedule, Oman will begin against Indonesia on Friday, April 3, at 2 pm Thailand time. It will then face Thailand on Saturday, April 4, at 4 pm, before meeting Hong Kong China on Monday, April 6, at 2 pm. Oman will conclude their preliminary round fixtures against Kazakhstan on Tuesday, April 7, also at 2 pm.
Mohammed Hoobais, coach of Oman’s national teams, said the squad is fully prepared for the qualifier from the technical, physical and skill perspectives, stressing that the team has completed its preparations with the aim of delivering strong performances and achieving positive results that reinforce Oman’s continental presence.
STRATEGIC MILESTONE
Hoobais described the Asian Games as a strategic milestone for the national team, saying the event offers a genuine opportunity to strengthen Oman’s presence at both Asian and international levels while gaining valuable high-level exposure that can help the side move towards higher positions.
He added that the Omani technical staff is aiming for a tangible achievement by breaking the barrier of seventh place in Asia, the mark the team has not surpassed in previous appearances in the competition. He noted that the campaign also represents an opportunity to develop young players, establish a unified national playing philosophy and measure the progress of the technical project against a variety of Asian hockey schools known for physical strength, tactical speed and technical precision.
Oman’s squad includes Khalid al Shueibi, Rashed al Fazari, Fahad al Lawati, al Baraa al Noufli, Asama Barazahan, Maitham al Wahibi, Rashid al Alawi, Khalid al Hasani, Mohammed al Noufali, Ibrahim al Farsi, Aliyas al Noufali, Sanad Sbeit, Hazaa al Balushi, Aseel al Maaini, Faisal Alloun, Aiman Faraj Madit, Al khooder al Noufali and Ahmed al Naabi.
The technical and administrative staff is led by head coach Mohammed Hoobais, assisted by Salah al Saadi, with Khalil al Balushi serving as team manager, Wagdi Bait Mabrook as video analyst, Ghassan al Hasani as goalkeepers coach, Mohammed al Shammkhi as fitness trainer and Abdullah al Noufli as physiotherapist.
Oman head into the qualifier carrying strong hopes of making a solid start that could provide early momentum in Group A, especially with every match carrying added weight in the race for a top-four finish and a place at the Asian Games.
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