MUSCAT: Oman’s national beach soccer team will kick off its campaign on Thursday at the sixth Asian Beach Games, hosted by the Chinese city of Sanya from April 22 to 30, with an opening match against Palestine at 5 pm (Muscat time). The team aims to leave a strong mark in this edition by securing a place among the top three, a position it has consistently achieved in previous editions. Oman will then face China in its second match on Saturday.
Speaking ahead of the match against Palestine, national team player Khalid al Araimi emphasised the importance of a strong start, describing the opening match as a key factor in the team’s journey. “A positive result provides a strong morale boost for the rest of the competition. We are entering the match with high focus and determination to deliver a performance that reflects our readiness,” he said.
He added that the team’s preparations have strengthened cohesion among players, noting that beach soccer demands mental discipline and concentration, with every match presenting unique challenges. “We respect all opponents, but we trust our capabilities. Our goal is clear: to go far in the tournament and deliver performances worthy of Omani football.”
Goalkeeper Younis al Owaisi echoed similar sentiments, stating that the team is determined to showcase a competitive spirit reflecting ambition and determination. “Opening matches are always difficult, especially in tournament formats. We have a balanced squad combining experience and youth, which gives us an advantage, particularly in crucial moments,” he said.
He stressed that every match must be treated as a final, with the team aiming to compete for top positions rather than merely participate.
The squad includes Khalid al Araimi, Salim al Araimi, Abdulrahman al Fazari, Younis al Owaisi, Al Yaqdhan al Hindasi, Abdullah al Souti, Muslim al Araimi, Khalfan al Ghazali, Ahmed al Owaisi, Majid al Afari, Sami al Balushi and Fahad al Mashaikhi. The team is coached by Talib al Thanawi, with Yousuf al Khatib as goalkeeping coach, Hamoud al Touqi as fitness coach, Munthir al Barwani as physiotherapist, Abdullah al Saadi as team manager, Khalid al Shehi as administrator, and Brazilian Wendal Da Silva as masseur. Beach soccer competitions run from April 22 to 30.
Meanwhile, Oman’s beach volleyball team will also begin its campaign on Thursday. The team, consisting of Mazin al Hashmi and Hood al Jalboubi, is coached by Badr al Subhi, with Abdullah al Alawi serving as team administrator. Volleyball competitions will take place from April 23 to 29.
HANDBALL TEAM FACES THAILAND
Oman’s national beach handball team continues its campaign on Thursday with a match against Thailand at 2 pm (Muscat time). The team is aiming for victory after securing a 2–0 win over Mongolia in its opening match, followed by a 0–2 loss to Qatar.
Player Hudhaifa al Siyabi described the win over Mongolia as an important one that boosted the team’s confidence. “We delivered a solid performance and successfully applied many of the tactical aspects we worked on during preparations,” he said.
Reflecting on the loss to Qatar, he noted that it was a tough match against one of Asia’s strongest teams, but also a valuable learning experience. “Our focus is now fully on the Thailand match, and we aim to deliver our best and achieve a positive result.”
Teammate Asaad al Hasani added that the opening victory was crucial in building confidence. “Tournaments like these require a strong start. Against Qatar, we faced a highly experienced side, and despite the loss, we had positive phases of play. We will benefit from that moving forward. Our goal is to return to winning ways and progress steadily in the competition.”
AL GHAILANI READY FOR AQUATHLON
Omani athlete Mohammed al Ghailani confirmed his readiness to compete in the aquathlon event on Thursday, describing his participation as a valuable personal and professional opportunity. “This event allows me to test my abilities and gain experience against high-level competitors. It is an important event in my career, and I aim to deliver results that reflect positively on Oman,” he said.
Al Ghailani revealed that he completed a three-month overseas training camp in Spain, focusing on all aspects of triathlon — swimming, cycling, and running — through an intensive and integrated programme. “The camp significantly enhanced both my physical readiness and technical performance. I feel well-prepared heading into the competition,” he added.
He also explained the difference between triathlon and aquathlon, noting that the latter includes only swimming and running, without cycling, making the transition between disciplines more demanding both physically and mentally. “We trained specifically to simulate race conditions and adapt to this format,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Al Ghailani stated that his goal is to deliver his best performance and compete for top positions. “Success in this sport requires discipline, consistency and strong mental resilience. I see a promising future in it, but achieving podium finishes requires continuous effort and greater international exposure.” he added.
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