Red Warriors ramp up training for Iraq clash

MUSCAT, August 31

With less than five days to go for the opener game at the deciding round of the Asian qualifiers to 2026 Fifa World Cup, Red Warriors are under extensive warm up sessions ahead of Iraq’s clash which is scheduled on Thursday at Basra International Stadium.

Oman national team players were underway in the daily training sessions under the watchful eyes of head coach Jaroslav Silhavy and his assisting team.

The technical training on Friday began with stretching practices and warm up session. Later, the players were distributed into two groups to execute some technical and tactical trainings. The training session was attended by Shaikh Salim bin Said al Wahaibi, the Chairman of Oman Football Association (OFA).

During the past few days, Oman team had some training sessions where the coach Silhavy focused on different areas to ensure the team’s players for the game.

Oman’s delegation will travel to Basra on Tuesday with two days ahead of the initial official game while Hussain al Zadjali, team admin member, will travel in advance by the delegation in order to complete all the required logistics arrangement. Oman’s training sessions will be held at Al Faiha stadium in Basra city. It is expected the team will have three sessions including one training session at the main venue.

Oman will have another key game following the opening match against Iraq as the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex will host the match of South Korea on September 10. The match will kick off at 6 pm. Both first matches against Iraq and South Korea teams will be very essential for the team’s chances to accumulate points in the beginning of the Asian qualifiers campaign.

Oman have high hopes to accomplish this dream as they were drawn in a group that comprises South Korea, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine and Kuwait in Group B.

Oman’s third game will be against Kuwait on October 10 in Muscat and it will be followed by Jordan clash on October 15 in Amman city. The concluding first leg matches will be against Palestine on November 14.

The second leg matches will begin as Oman will host Iraq in Muscat on November 19 before travelling to Seoul to face South Korea on March 20, 2025, and then Kuwait on March 25, 2025. Later, Oman will be back to play a home game as they will take on Jordan in Muscat on June 5, 2025 and the concluding game against Palestine is scheduled on June 10, 2025 in an away match.