Muscat: Fans will return to watch Oman play Saudi Arabia in a key World Cup qualifier on Tuesday evening, the first time in 18 months that they’ve been able to watch the national team live, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oman kick off against the Saudis at 8 pm on September 7 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, a decisive match in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers that could decide which team takes a big step towards qualifying for next year’s showpiece event in Qatar.
The Red Warriors are ready to do their duty against Saudi Arabia, first team manager Maqbool bin Mohammed Al Balushi has said. Supporter attendance is open to those fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The last time supporters were able to watch their team live was in March 2020.
“We need our fans to support us,” said Al Balushi. “Our team is ready to face the Saudis, as our last period of training was designed to prepare us for continuous readiness. Our basic training programme was held for a month in Serbia, but we have now moved to another programme where there is only training and preparation for the next match, keeping in mind the positives of our previous games, and addressing the deficiencies observed.
“We took this approach because there are now only three days between games,” he added. “The qualifiers are over a long period of time, between September 2021 and March 2022. During this period, we need to work hard and show our capabilities, as each match will have its own technical requirements from us.”
Oman play Saudi Arabia on the back of an impressive 1-0 away win against Japan. Issam Al Sabhi scored the only goal of the match two minutes from time, leading to a result that stunned the 2002 World Cup co-hosts that put Oman third in Group B of the third round of qualifying.
On their return to Oman, the players were given a hero’s welcome in the form of a water cannon salute at Muscat International Airport, and Maqbool Al Balushi has urged his players to use the motivation of their win over Japan, when they play the Saudis.
“It is very important for our players to trust in their abilities, irrespective of the opposition,” he said, before explaining the team’s preparation for their upcoming match. “The Saudis are well-known, because of their participation at top-level tournaments in Asia, as well as their history of qualifying for the World Cup.”
The Saudis have qualified for five World Cups – their last one coming in 2018 – have won the Asian Cup on three occasions, and have reached a joint record six Asian Cup finals.
“Our team has a legitimate chance of winning this match, and as well as to achieve success in the 10 qualifying matches, but we must work to earn our victories, given that we are in a strong group involving teams such as Japan, which always qualifies for the World Cup, and the Saudis. Although we know the work we need to put in, our players are very confident.”
Al Balushi said the players have already seen the rewards hard work can bring: their victory over Japan came after great effort put in over a long period of time.
“However, there are greater challenges that lie ahead, and more responsibilities in facing the rest of the teams,” he said. “This was made clear to us in the joy that our Omani people felt after we beat Japan. It is our responsibility to continue to instill in them this joy and confidence, but at the same time, we also need them to support us until the very end.
“Their support needs to come not just during one or two matches, as all of the games are difficult, require patience, and the support of the masses. If everyone is with us, God willing, we will achieve what is required.” Return of fans after 18 months to provide Oman with extra backing against Saudi Arabia
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