Branko calls up probables for domestic camp
Published: 04:08 PM,Aug 30,2023 | EDITED : 08:08 PM,Aug 30,2023
MUSCAT, AUG 30
A total of 24 probables have been called up for the upcoming short camp of Oman national senior football team during September 1 to 7 in Muscat. The announcement of the squad and unveiling the team’s preparatory programme took place on Wednesday in a press meet at City Seasons Hotel in presence of Oman’s head coach Branko Ivankovic and media representatives.
Ivankovic told the media reporters that Oman team will have two significant events represented by the preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 for the Fifa World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 besides the 2024 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar assignment.
“The format of the Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifiers had changed as eight teams will see their attendance in the next edition of the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Our dream is to secure one of the direct Asian slots to the World Cup despite the difficulty as all the Asian teams will have the same target. In November, we will commence our campaign in the qualifiers. I am very optimistic in our team players,” he said.
Oman, ranked 72nd in the world, will face Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei/Timor Leste in Group D of the joint qualifiers.
The Croation coach said that the second assignment of the team will be taking part in the 2024 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. “ The team will vie for top show in this edition of the Asian Cup. The players will enter to a comprehensive preparatory plan ahead of the Asian event. The domestic competitions and presence of Oman’s clubs in AFC Cup will assist in shaping the readiness of the team players for the forthcoming key events. I can fully understand the clubs' requirement for their players, but I hope there will be a mutual understanding between both of us. The preparatory programme will be focused in September while full month of October will be dedicated for clubs whereas in November the qualifiers matches will begin. The positive thing in this season was the early start of the top-tier league as it was started on August 17,” he added.
The Red Warriors will have their challenge at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 finals in January 2024 at Group F which comprised Asian favourites Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Kyrgyzstan.
The 69-year-old coach disclosed that Oman team will play two crucial fixtures in September as they will meet Palestine in Muscat on September 6 while they will meet USA, ranked 11th in the world, on September 12 in Minnesota, USA.
Commenting on missing some key names in the squad namely Mohammed al Musallami, Al Mundher al Alawi, Amjad al Harthy, Arshad al Alawi, Yazeed al Mashani, Hatim al Roushdi, Mazin al Harrasi, Sameh al Hamrashdi and others, coach Ivankovic said that majority of these players are having injuries and some of them lately signed and joined their clubs.
“I had discussion with Musallami as well as the OFA chairman. Musallami requested some more time to revise his decision on international football retirement. He is a valuable player in the squad and served the team for more than 13 years. He is an actual leader on the field and we need him in the team. Hopefully he will be back to the team soon,” he said.
Responding to an inquiry on the preparatory plan whether it is adequate, the head coach answered, 'I need all the players as much as I can but finally we have to respect their commitment with their respective clubs. We will try to utilise the agreed period for the training sessions of the team and I am looking forward for a collaboration from the domestic clubs,” he ended.
OMAN PROBABLES: Ahmed al Rawahi, Ibrahim al Mukhaini, Fayez al Rushedi, Mahmood al Mushefri, Ahmed al Kaabi, Motaz Saleh, Khalid al Buraiki, Ahmed al Khamisi, Ahmed al Matroushi, Fahmi Said, Juma al Habsi, Musab al Mamari, Tamim al Balushi, Harib al Saadi, Salah al Yahyaei, Zaher al Aghbari, Abdulrahman al Mushefri, Ali al Hinai, Abdullah Fawaz, Jameel al Yahmadi, Mohsin al Ghassani, Ahmed al Adawi, Omar al Malki and Issam al Subhi.
A total of 24 probables have been called up for the upcoming short camp of Oman national senior football team during September 1 to 7 in Muscat. The announcement of the squad and unveiling the team’s preparatory programme took place on Wednesday in a press meet at City Seasons Hotel in presence of Oman’s head coach Branko Ivankovic and media representatives.
Ivankovic told the media reporters that Oman team will have two significant events represented by the preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 for the Fifa World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 besides the 2024 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar assignment.
“The format of the Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifiers had changed as eight teams will see their attendance in the next edition of the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Our dream is to secure one of the direct Asian slots to the World Cup despite the difficulty as all the Asian teams will have the same target. In November, we will commence our campaign in the qualifiers. I am very optimistic in our team players,” he said.
Oman, ranked 72nd in the world, will face Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei/Timor Leste in Group D of the joint qualifiers.
The Croation coach said that the second assignment of the team will be taking part in the 2024 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. “ The team will vie for top show in this edition of the Asian Cup. The players will enter to a comprehensive preparatory plan ahead of the Asian event. The domestic competitions and presence of Oman’s clubs in AFC Cup will assist in shaping the readiness of the team players for the forthcoming key events. I can fully understand the clubs' requirement for their players, but I hope there will be a mutual understanding between both of us. The preparatory programme will be focused in September while full month of October will be dedicated for clubs whereas in November the qualifiers matches will begin. The positive thing in this season was the early start of the top-tier league as it was started on August 17,” he added.
The Red Warriors will have their challenge at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 finals in January 2024 at Group F which comprised Asian favourites Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Kyrgyzstan.
The 69-year-old coach disclosed that Oman team will play two crucial fixtures in September as they will meet Palestine in Muscat on September 6 while they will meet USA, ranked 11th in the world, on September 12 in Minnesota, USA.
Commenting on missing some key names in the squad namely Mohammed al Musallami, Al Mundher al Alawi, Amjad al Harthy, Arshad al Alawi, Yazeed al Mashani, Hatim al Roushdi, Mazin al Harrasi, Sameh al Hamrashdi and others, coach Ivankovic said that majority of these players are having injuries and some of them lately signed and joined their clubs.
“I had discussion with Musallami as well as the OFA chairman. Musallami requested some more time to revise his decision on international football retirement. He is a valuable player in the squad and served the team for more than 13 years. He is an actual leader on the field and we need him in the team. Hopefully he will be back to the team soon,” he said.
Responding to an inquiry on the preparatory plan whether it is adequate, the head coach answered, 'I need all the players as much as I can but finally we have to respect their commitment with their respective clubs. We will try to utilise the agreed period for the training sessions of the team and I am looking forward for a collaboration from the domestic clubs,” he ended.
OMAN PROBABLES: Ahmed al Rawahi, Ibrahim al Mukhaini, Fayez al Rushedi, Mahmood al Mushefri, Ahmed al Kaabi, Motaz Saleh, Khalid al Buraiki, Ahmed al Khamisi, Ahmed al Matroushi, Fahmi Said, Juma al Habsi, Musab al Mamari, Tamim al Balushi, Harib al Saadi, Salah al Yahyaei, Zaher al Aghbari, Abdulrahman al Mushefri, Ali al Hinai, Abdullah Fawaz, Jameel al Yahmadi, Mohsin al Ghassani, Ahmed al Adawi, Omar al Malki and Issam al Subhi.