MUSCAT: Oman’s national football team will begin a new domestic training camp on Friday as head coach Tarik Sektioui steps up preparations for the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, which will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from September 23 to October 6.
The camp, which runs from August 14 to 24, represents another important stage in the Red Warriors’ preparations, with the technical staff looking to improve the players’ physical and technical readiness, strengthen cohesion within the squad and assess the available options before selecting the final squad for the regional tournament.
Sektioui has named a preliminary 28-player squad featuring a combination of experienced internationals and younger players seeking to establish themselves in the national team.
The four goalkeepers selected are Ibrahim al Mukhaini, Ibrahim al Rajhi, Ahmed al Rawahi and Sayyaf Bait Bahdoor.
The rest of the squad comprises Ghanim al Habshi, Ahmed al Kaabi, Ahed al Mashaikhi, Sultan al Marzouq, Jameel al Yahmadi, Harib al Saadi, Nasser al Rawahi, Musab al Maamari, Amjad al Harthi, Yousef al Malki, Musab al Shaqsi, Abdullah Fawaz, Abdulsalam al Shukaili, Issa al Naabi, Khalid al Buraiki, Al Mundhir al Alawi, Khalid al Ghatrifi, Zahir al Aghbari, Abdullah al Maamari, Abdulhafez al Mukhaini, Fahad al Mukhaini, Waleed al Musallami, Abdulmajid al Balushi and Hussain al Shahri.
Sektioui’s selection maintains a core of experienced players while providing opportunities for a number of younger names as he continues to search for the right combination ahead of Oman’s upcoming assignments.
The current squad does not include overseas-based players Essam al Subhi, Mohsin al Ghassani, Abdulrahman al Mushaifri and Salah al Yahyaei, who are currently with clubs outside Oman. Several other players who have featured for the Red Warriors in previous periods are also absent from the latest list.
CLOSE ASSESSMENT
The August gathering will provide Sektioui and his technical staff with another opportunity to closely assess the selected players, particularly those seeking to secure a regular place in the national team. The camp will also focus on developing tactical understanding and building greater harmony among the squad before the final stages of preparation for Khaleeji 27.
The Red Warriors previously held their first domestic camp under Sektioui from April 18 to 23 before travelling to Indonesia for an overseas camp from May 29 to June 9.
During the Indonesia camp, Oman played two international friendlies, suffering a 3-0 defeat against Indonesia before responding with a 4-1 victory over Mozambique. Essam al Subhi scored a hat-trick in the win, while Abdulsalam al Shukaili added Oman’s fourth goal.
Oman will head into Khaleeji 27 looking to build on their strong record in the competition and challenge for a third Arabian Gulf Cup title.
The Red Warriors have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait, while Group B comprises Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Yemen.
Oman will begin their campaign against Iraq on September 23 at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium before facing hosts Saudi Arabia at King Abdullah Sports City on September 26. They will conclude their group-stage fixtures against Kuwait at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on September 29.
With the Gulf Cup approaching, the current camp will be a key opportunity for Sektioui to further shape his squad and identify the players capable of playing a leading role in Oman’s campaign in Jeddah.
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