Oman's shock Asia Cup exit sparks calls for change
Published: 03:01 PM,Jan 28,2024 | EDITED : 09:01 PM,Jan 28,2024
Oman's shock Asia Cup exit sparks calls for change
Muscat: In the wake of Oman's early departure from the Asian Cup tournament following a draw with Kyrgyzstan, sadness has swept among fans across the country. The match, which ended with a goal for each team, left the Reds' tally at a mere two points.
The aftermath of this exit has seen a flurry of reactions on the responsibility for the team's performance. Many have expressed the view that this 'strong shake' serves as a much-needed wake-up call, shedding light on the significant flaws of Omani football. Since the establishment of the Omani football team 54 years ago, it has won the Arabian Gulf Cup twice and finished as runner-up twice but has not won any continental or world titles.
Sultan al Washahi, a fan of the team, expressed deep disappointment over the Omani team's failure to advance despite being in its easiest Asian Cup group ever. He emphasised the sadness of the shocking exit of the national team, since many had high hopes for advancing to later rounds.
Al Washahi said, 'Reaching the Round of 16 was in the hands of the players, and we were very close to achieving this.' He emphasised the importance of this exit in reshaping Omani football's future. He acknowledged the fans' right to be upset, as they had expected better results.
Similarly, Ahmed al Balushi, who attended the matches in Qatar, hoped that the team's painful exit from the Asian Cup wouldn't repeat. Al Balushi remarked that with the current federation, the team was eliminated from the 2019 Asian Cup, resulting in the coach's dismissal. When the team was knocked out of the Gulf Cup in the 24th edition, again the coach was changed. Now, the same scenario has been repeated after exiting the tournament with OFA deciding not to renew the coach's contract. Al Balushi noted the need for new leadership in Omani football beyond just changing coaches.
Lobaid al Amri pointed out the shortcomings in Oman's football structure. He emphasised that with this kind of work, we won't go further than the Gulf Cup. He pointed out that competitions in Oman are weak, with 24 clubs out of 44 competing in the leagues, and other clubs freezing their first teams. Additionally, the youth national teams failed to qualify for the finals.
Al Amri added that our fundamental issue lies not only with the coach but also with a federation that has failed to develop football at the level of all national teams and competitions. He highlighted that the federation merged the second division league with the first division league, turning what used to be a strong first division league into a mere formality, and some clubs started withdrawing from one season and participating in another. It cancelled the youth league stages. Al Amri wondered with all these confusions, how can we expect to see a strong national team competing for world championships.
Al Amri said Omani fans deserved the best. They deserve to see a strong national team competing for international championships, he said.
Saada al Numani, a staunch woman football fan, said, 'The Omani football team disappointed the whole nation. Oman is known for its love for football from the beach and streets to small playgrounds to family teams. It's so sad and heartbreaking not to see the national team advancing. Spectators across all age groups and genders strive to be where the team goes. Apart from the Gulf Cup, the team has never advanced. The sky is no longer the limit; changes need to be made. This is a game that brings people together, and top officials should tackle and see why there is no advancement in the national team. Our youth have sacrificed their bodies for the love of the game. We ask the government to put this issue on the table.'
The aftermath of this exit has seen a flurry of reactions on the responsibility for the team's performance. Many have expressed the view that this 'strong shake' serves as a much-needed wake-up call, shedding light on the significant flaws of Omani football. Since the establishment of the Omani football team 54 years ago, it has won the Arabian Gulf Cup twice and finished as runner-up twice but has not won any continental or world titles.
Sultan al Washahi, a fan of the team, expressed deep disappointment over the Omani team's failure to advance despite being in its easiest Asian Cup group ever. He emphasised the sadness of the shocking exit of the national team, since many had high hopes for advancing to later rounds.
Al Washahi said, 'Reaching the Round of 16 was in the hands of the players, and we were very close to achieving this.' He emphasised the importance of this exit in reshaping Omani football's future. He acknowledged the fans' right to be upset, as they had expected better results.
Similarly, Ahmed al Balushi, who attended the matches in Qatar, hoped that the team's painful exit from the Asian Cup wouldn't repeat. Al Balushi remarked that with the current federation, the team was eliminated from the 2019 Asian Cup, resulting in the coach's dismissal. When the team was knocked out of the Gulf Cup in the 24th edition, again the coach was changed. Now, the same scenario has been repeated after exiting the tournament with OFA deciding not to renew the coach's contract. Al Balushi noted the need for new leadership in Omani football beyond just changing coaches.
Lobaid al Amri pointed out the shortcomings in Oman's football structure. He emphasised that with this kind of work, we won't go further than the Gulf Cup. He pointed out that competitions in Oman are weak, with 24 clubs out of 44 competing in the leagues, and other clubs freezing their first teams. Additionally, the youth national teams failed to qualify for the finals.
Al Amri added that our fundamental issue lies not only with the coach but also with a federation that has failed to develop football at the level of all national teams and competitions. He highlighted that the federation merged the second division league with the first division league, turning what used to be a strong first division league into a mere formality, and some clubs started withdrawing from one season and participating in another. It cancelled the youth league stages. Al Amri wondered with all these confusions, how can we expect to see a strong national team competing for world championships.
Al Amri said Omani fans deserved the best. They deserve to see a strong national team competing for international championships, he said.
Saada al Numani, a staunch woman football fan, said, 'The Omani football team disappointed the whole nation. Oman is known for its love for football from the beach and streets to small playgrounds to family teams. It's so sad and heartbreaking not to see the national team advancing. Spectators across all age groups and genders strive to be where the team goes. Apart from the Gulf Cup, the team has never advanced. The sky is no longer the limit; changes need to be made. This is a game that brings people together, and top officials should tackle and see why there is no advancement in the national team. Our youth have sacrificed their bodies for the love of the game. We ask the government to put this issue on the table.'