Oman target third title

Oman will aim to show a different style in today’s final clash of the 25th edition of Arabian Gulf Cup against the hosts Iraq other than their opener’s performance which ended in a goalless draw on January 6. Though Red Warriors are aware that Thursday’s encounter at Al Basra International Stadium will be a major test, Salah al Yahyaei and his teammates are confident Oman can snatch the third title of the Gulf Cup and present a more solid performance than the opening game.

The opener between Oman and Iraq and the previous matches in the tournament are considered as a positive accumulated experience and learnt lessons that will assure helping the team’s presence professionally in today’s assignment against the hosts.

The team need to focus on some key factors to contend with the opponent:

1. Studying the opposition

The head coach of the team, Branko Ivankovic, is fully aware of the importance of today’s fixture. The coaching staff studied the opposition very well and the opening match unveiled the weakness and strong areas of the opponent. The players are instructed by the coaching staff on focusing on the weakness areas to score.

2. Calm and focus

The players have to be very focused especially in the first 20 minutes as the opponent will be attacking with the support of the huge crowd. It is essential for the starting line-up to be calm on how to deal with the first quarter of the game. All the players should be in top level of focus and concentration in order to enter smoothly in the mood of the game and deliver a top match.

3 Discipline on the pitch

It is mandatory that all the lines including defence, midfield and the attacking should be connected in a proper discipline that will ensure breaking of all the opponent’s chances. Important role for the experienced players like Hairb al Saadi, who will monitor the midfield and deliver the right passes to his teammates for creation of scoring attempts.

4. Young energy

Oman team has a balanced squad which comprises experienced and young faces who will work hard to show their top performances. The young players including Salah al Yahyaei, Zaher al Aghbari, Ahmed al Kaabi, goalkeeper Ibrahim al Mukhaini and the others are eager to deliver top show and prove themselves at the big stage.