MUSCAT: Oman will begin their bid to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup for the first time when they kick off their third round of AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Group B campaign against Iraq on Thursday. The match will kick off at 8 pm (Oman time) at Basra International Stadium. The Red Warriors’ hopes are very high for a perfect start in this crucial opener of the qualifying assignment.
A victory or at least a draw will encourage and push the team’s squad for a top show in the forthcoming games especially as Oman will host South Korea on Tuesday in Muscat. The fans of Red Warriors are looking positively to qualify for the global showpiece on merit and set a historic moment for Oman’s football as Oman are aiming for their first-ever Fifa World Cup appearance.
Coach Jaroslav Silhavy, head coach of Oman national team, sounded confident in the press conference ahead of the game as he said that the team is in its best shape to play against Iraq in the opening game of the qualifiers. “Ahead of the match, I would like to thank the Iraq Football Association for their warm welcome. We felt that we were in our home country. We have managed to deliver top matches in the previous games and will continue in this path. I am very confident on the players to deliver top game as they are experienced enough and trained to play under different circumstances,” he added.
Coach Silhavy took charge of the national team following team’s participation in the last edition of the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. He will eye to set a positive target in the opener game in order to have a resounding start ahead of the forthcoming crucial game against South Korea on Tuesday in Muscat.
“ I have observed the opponent in many games. The strength and weakness points of the rival is clear and the players will play accordingly. Special thanks for the national team’s fans for their continuous support and appreciation to everyone who is behind the team,” he added.
COMMITMENT
Silhavy will be relying on the same level of commitment that saw them through to the third round. It is expected that the Czech coach will begin the match with a starting line up featuring Ibrahim al Mukhaini as goalkeeper, defending line may comprise Abdulaziz al Shmoosi, Mohammed al Musalami, Ali al Busaidi and Ahmed al Khamisi. Harib al Saadi will monitor the midfield accompanied by Arshad al Alawi, Jameel al Yahmadi, Essam al Subhi and Zaher al Aghbari.
“The opening games are normally quite tough than other games. However, we will do our level best to end the match on a positive note. We have learned a lot of lessons in this qualifiers and will act on better ways. There is no easy games in this qualifiers stage and we will deal with each match separately,” defender Mohammed al Musallami said.
On the other side, Iraq will look to register a strong push for a ticket to the Fifa World Cup under supervision of coach Jesus Casas-led Iraq, who are aiming to replicate the success of the 1986 squad that qualified for the nation's maiden Fifa World Cup in Mexico. Coach Casas is confident his side can claim one of the eight spots available for the Fifa World Cup 2026 to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
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