MUSCAT: Oman national football team left for Jakarta on Friday evening to begin an overseas training camp in Indonesia as head coach Tarik Sektioui steps up preparations for a busy period of Gulf and continental assignments.
The camp, which runs until June 9, is part of the Reds’ build-up towards the Arabian Gulf Cup 'Khaleeji 27', scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia in September and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, alongside other upcoming Asian commitments.
The Indonesian camp represents an important stage in Oman’s current preparation programme, with the technical staff looking to improve the players’ technical and physical readiness, strengthen team cohesion and assess several options before the start of competitive action.
Sektioui, who was appointed Oman head coach in March, has named a 28-player squad for the camp, combining experienced members of the national team with younger players who have impressed in domestic competitions. The selection reflects the Moroccan coach’s wider project to build a side capable of competing over the medium and long term.
The squad includes: Ibrahim al Mukhaini, Ahmed al Rawahi, Fayez al Rushaidi, Ibrahim al Rajhi, Harib al Saadi, Mohsin al Ghassani, Khalid al Buraiki, Khalid al Ghatrifi, Abdullah Fawaz, Ahid al Mashaikhi, Abdulsalam al Shukaili, Hatim al Roushdi, Hussain al Shahri, Musab al Maamari, Al Munthir al Alawi, Ghanim al Habshi, Ahmed al Khamisi, Zahir al Aghbari, Yousef al Maliki, Issam al Subhi, Ahmed al Kaabi, Mohammed al Ghafri, Musab al Shaqsi, Nasser al Rawahi, Jameel al Yahmadi, Amjad al Harthy, Issa al Naabi and Sultan al Marzouq.
The Reds are scheduled to play two friendly matches during the camp. Oman will meet Indonesia on June 5 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, before facing Mozambique on June 9. The two matches will give the coaching staff a valuable opportunity to evaluate the players’ readiness and test different tactical approaches.
OMAN TO OPEN WITH IRAQ TIE
Oman will open their Gulf Cup campaign against Iraq on September 23 before taking on hosts Saudi Arabia on September 26 and Kuwait on September 29 in Group A. The tournament will provide Sektioui with a key competitive test before the AFC Asian Cup.
The Reds were drawn in Group A of the Asian Cup alongside Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Palestine. Oman will begin their campaign against Kuwait on January 8, 2027, meet Saudi Arabia on January 12 and conclude the group stage against Palestine on January 17.
The technical staff will be hoping the Jakarta camp achieves its objectives by raising the players’ readiness and giving the squad greater stability ahead of a demanding period, with Omani fans looking forward to seeing the national team produce strong performances in their upcoming assignments.
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