MUSCAT - Oman will eye a strong comeback in the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 2026 campaign as they host South Korea in a key match for the second-round games in Group B on Tuesday. The match will kick off at 6 pm (Muscat time) at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
The Red Warriors are in their best shape to earn a positive result that will keep their hopes alive in this long campaign. Coach Jaroslav Silhavy’s men will aim for the winning points, as a victory will return the team to competition mode while a loss or draw will reduce the team’s morale.
It is expected that today’s match will not be easy, as the strong opponent, South Korea, will be looking to bounce back after their draw in the opening game against Palestine in Seoul last week, while Oman suffered a 1-0 defeat against Iraq.
Oman national team players completed their training sessions at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Monday night under the watchful eyes of head coach Silhavy. The Czech coach put his final touches on the starting line-up during the last session. The coach may continue relying on the same squad as the previous match, with the possible inclusion of Abdullah Fawaz and Omar al Malki.
POSITIVE RESULT
Silhavy voiced confidence that the goal is to achieve a positive result in the match. “We are in our best shape for this game. It is going to be a tough clash. South Korea is ranked as the top team in the group. I am confident that we will get the required support from the fans in today’s crucial match to achieve the desired result.”
Responding to a question on the level of Group B teams after the first-round games, the coach said: "Group B is not an easy group, especially as the results of the opening round reflected that. I have trust and belief in my players to deliver a top game. Also, the players are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent. Our target is to qualify from this group,” he added.
“The key to winning is respecting the team and working hard on the field, besides applying the best tactics to attack the rivals. These are the key solutions to winning, and we will follow this strategy,” the Czech coach opined.
“Salah is a key player, and his absence is critical. However, we are confident that the rest of the players are in good shape and ready. Also, Ahmed al Khamisi and Mohammed al Musallami are prepared for the game, while Arshad al Alawai will miss the match due to a red card,” he concluded.
STRONG TEAM
Oman’s Ali al Busaidy affirmed that he will fight alongside his teammates in today’s clash to secure a win. “Our target is to recover from the Iraq game and win this crucial match. We are aware that the opponent is not an easy team, and they are the best in the group. However, we will do our best to achieve the desired victory. I would like to thank all the fans, government, and private sector entities for their support of the national team,” he said.
South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo said that his team will implement their best tactics after a draw against Palestine in the opening game. "This will be our first away game in these qualifiers. There are many challenging conditions, but our focus is on winning the game. I expect the match will not be easy, but my players have enough experience to achieve the required result and progress in the qualifiers,” he said.
“The Oman team suffered a loss in the previous game, and they will enter the game with different tactics. On the other hand, we are well prepared for this match and our target is to win,” he said.
“We cannot predict the result, but the goal is to secure the three points,” Hong said.
Bayern Munich defender Kim Min Jae said that they are accustomed to different weather conditions. “We arrived in Oman a few days ago, and the players have adapted to the weather conditions. This will not impact the team’s performance,” he said.
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