Sports

Oman U-17 team gears up for West Asian Championship opener

Oman face defending champions Yemen at Prince Mohammed Stadium in Amman, match scheduled at 5 pm Oman time

Oman U-17 team gears up for West Asian Championship opener
 
Oman U-17 team gears up for West Asian Championship opener
Muscat: The Oman U-17 football team is in prime condition as they prepare to kick off their campaign in the 11th edition of the West Asian Championship, which begins today and runs until September 11.

Oman will face defending champions Yemen on Monday at Prince Mohammed Stadium in Amman, with the match scheduled to start at 5 pm Oman time. On the same day, hosts Jordan will clash with Lebanon at 8 pm Oman time.

The tournament features nine teams divided into three groups: Oman is placed in Group B alongside Yemen and Saudi Arabia, while Group A includes Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon. Group C comprises Bahrain, Syria, and Palestine.

The national team arrived in Amman on Saturday and immediately began their training sessions.

Under the guidance of coach Anwar Al Habsi and his assistant team, the players focused on tactical preparations ahead of their opening game against Yemen. The Omani squad is aiming for a victory to bolster their chances of advancing to the semifinals.

Oman previously faced Yemen in the last edition of the tournament, where Yemen emerged victorious. However, the Omani team enters this edition with renewed determination, aiming for an impressive performance.



In preparation for the West Asian Championship, the team held a successful overseas training camp in Turkey. The junior Red Warriors played three friendly matches during the 10-day camp, winning all three.

In their first preparatory match, they secured a 5-0 victory against Qatar’s Al Ahli FC, with Ahmed Al Omrani shining as he netted three goals, while Suleiman Al Kharousi and Abdullah Al Saadi added one each.

The second warm-up game saw Oman triumph 7-3 over FC Sher Bishkek, with goals from Osama Al Maamari (2), Ahmed Al Omrani, Muath Al Hinai, Firas Al Saadi, Al Yazen Al Balushi, and Al Waleed Al Rashdi. The team capped off their camp with a 3-1 win against Fenerbahçe FC, thanks to goals from Ahmed Al Omrani, Abdulaziz Al Balushi, and Al Waleed Al Rashdi.

Oman will play their second group match in the West Asian Championship against Saudi Arabia on September 4. The top team from each group, along with the best second-placed team among the three groups, will advance to the semifinals.

This tournament is particularly significant for the national junior team as they gear up for a major challenge at the 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers in late October. Oman will compete in Group J against Tajikistan, Guam, and host Singapore in their quest for qualification.