MUSCAT, Sept 19
The Oman Football Association (OFA) announced on Thursday appointment of experienced national coach Rasheed Jaber as head coach of Oman team replacing Jaroslav Silhavy after his contract was ended between both parties by mutual consent.
Jaber was presented to the local media in a press meet on Thursday. “Thanks for the OFA’s confidence to opt me as the head coach of the national team. I am very pleased to return back to the national team to lead my country’s football team. Despite the expected challenging tasks, I will work hard with the players to revive the spirit and re-build the confidence among them and fight with other teams in the group. I have presented a detailed project plan to OFA which will run until AFC Asian Cup 2027. I will try to deliver all my technical capabilities and abilities in order to achieve the desired results,” the newly appointed coach said.
OFA decided to terminate the contract of Silhavy following the two defeats of Red Warriors in the deciding round of the Asian qualifiers to 2026 Fifa World Cup, against Iraq by 1-0 in Basra and against South Korea by 3-1 in Muscat. Commenting on the main priorities during the upcoming period, coach Jaber responded: ”I believe we need to re-structure the team with a new identity and style especially there are many new talented faces besides the availability of some experienced players. There are many assignments besides the Asian qualifiers to vie including: The Gulf Cup in Kuwait, AFC Asian Cup and Arab Cup Championship. I cannot provide any promise but I will work hard with the team to accomplish the required targets,” he said.
The former Coach of Al Seeb Club affirmed that he will postpone the announcement of the squad until the end of the upcoming round of Omantel League. “I will announce the team’s list for the upcoming camp after the forthcoming round of the league matches concluded. I need to review the performance of the players in different clubs ahead of the announcement,” he added.
The 60-year-old coach affirmed that the assistant coach and technical team are not yet defined but it will be unveiled very soon to media.
Replying to an inquiry on the team’s chances to secure slot in the Asian World Cup qualifiers, Rasheed said:” The team’s chances to advance from the group directly are still alive as we are still in the second round matches yet. This will require hard work from everyone besides the players to deliver their top efforts and they should believe on their selves. Our focus is currently on the upcoming game against Kuwait on October 10 in Muscat and then we have to think about the other games,” he said.
Rasheed Jaber had managed to lead Seeb club to achieve historic title for Oman’s football history as they had won the 2022-2023 AFC Cup. Besides that, Rasheed had coached the national team in 2002.
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