MUSCAT: Oman hockey team has peaked at the right time by winning the 2022 Asian Games Qualifiers tournament in Bangkok on Sunday, according to head coach Lim Chiow Chuan.
Oman thumped Bangladesh 6-2 in the final to culminate a remarkable campaign in the tournament.
“The boys were excellent in the final. We didn’t leave any scope of error or complacency against Bangladesh,” Lim told Oman Observer in an exclusive interview after the match.
The Malaysian coach said the Oman players came up well after a close miss in the final of Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia on March 30.
“The loss in the AHF final against Bangladesh was disappointing. But the boys have learned to convert that disappointment into a success in the Asian Games Qualifiers final. That was an important development in their psychological level and resulted in a positive approach to bag the title against the same opponents in Bangkok.”
Oman lost to Bangladesh 5-3 in penalty shoot-out in the AHF Cup final after a 1-1 draw at the regulation time.
“Our players have shown the maturity to learn from some of their earlier mistakes. We were determined to take the trophy here. I am happy and satisfied that the players implemented our strategy with success,” the former Malaysian international said.
Oman have improved their rankings by two places since Lim took over as the head coach in December 2021 to World No 23 at present.
“Oman players are naturally athletic and fast. Along with the technical skills now they have the mental attitude to deal with the big match pressure. We proved that with the final win against Bangladesh,” the head coach said.
The Oman Hockey Association (OHA) led by Dr Marwan bin Juma al Juma have been implementing a high-class training and fitness programme for the Oman players in association with the Asian Hockey Federation.
On the plans for the Asian Games, coach Lim said Oman do not want just to be comfortable being the second tier in Asia.
“Omani players are improving and learning things fast. We don’t want to be comfortable in the second tier in Asian level. We want to compete against the best in Asia.”
“Our current bunch of players are really promising and we hope to make a good impact in the 2022 Asian Cup,” the coach said.
Lim said the OHA and technical team need to keep producing such good young players to strengthen the national squad.
“We need to keep producing new promising young talents to bolster Oman national team and take the game into the next
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