MUSCAT, OCT. 30 - Oman will open their campaign in the qualifiers for the AFC U-19 Championship 2018 in Indonesia with a match against regional neighbours United Arab Emirates in Bishek, Kyrgz Republic on Tuesday.
Oman are placed in Group A along with UAE, Bahrain, Nepal and hosts Kyrgz Republic.
Oman take on UAE at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek at 3 pm Oman Time.
Oman coach Rasheed Jabir has expressed his satisfaction over the preparations camp in Kyrgyzstan.
The coach commended the players’ high standard performance and punctuality and their obedience to the instructions whether in training sessions or in their accommodation.
“I would like to hail the commendable efforts our players exert during training and their being serious in terms of implementing the instructions and executing the plans. The weather in Kyrgyzstan is ideal for training despite turning cold sometimes. I would like to commend the administrative, technical and media staff for playing their roles properly.”
“In the current stage we are doing our best to prepare the players so that they can join the Olympic team and first teams later on,” he said.
China have sealed their spot in the finals along with hosts Indonesia and other teams will battle for the 14 berths still up for grabs in the tournament.
Reigning champions Japan, who finally clinched the title in 2016 after finishing runners-up on six previous occasions, are in Group I of the qualifiers alongside Thailand, Singapore and hosts Mongolia.
The 2016 title was won at Saudi Arabia’s expense, with Japan triumphing 5-3 on penalties after 120 minutes failed to see either team make a breakthrough.
Two-time champions Saudi Arabia will be looking to rectify that and they will host their Group D qualification campaign against Yemen, Turkmenistan and India in Dammam.
Iran, beaten 6-5 by Saudi Arabia in a thrilling semifinal in 2016, are in Group E alongside Palestine, Syria and hosts Jordan.
Iran are four-time winners of the title but their last triumph was in 1976.
Vietnam were the other semifinalists in the 2016 Finals hosted by Bahrain, losing their last four tie 3-0 to eventual champions Japan.
They are in Group H of the 2018 Qualifiers with Laos, Macau and hosts Chinese Taipei.
Korea Republic, 12-time champions but eliminated in the group stage in the 2016 edition, will host Group F with Asean opposition in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Timor-Leste to contend with. Group J of the qualifiers, featuring Australia, DPR Korea and Hong Kong, will be played in the neutral venue of Hanoi.
The 10 group winners and the five best second-placed teams will join hosts Indonesia in the Finals.
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