KUWAIT CITY: Oman head coach Rasheed Jaber said his team is looking for a winning start in the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup which will kick off in Kuwait City on Saturday.
“We aim to compete for the 26th Gulf Cup title, in addition to continuing preparations for the World Cup qualifiers,” Rasheed Jaber said in a statement to a press conference ahead of the opening match of the 26th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup 'Gulf Zain 2026' in Kuwait from December 21 to January 3.
The opening ceremony, organised by Zain, will continue with the Oman team's match with Kuwait at 9 pm (Oman time) at Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium, with a capacity of 60,000 spectators. Oman and Kuwait are included in Group A along with with Qatar and the UAE.
Rasheed Jaber will lead Oman national team in the opening match, which coincides with celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first appearance in the Arabian Gulf Cup football tournaments, which began in 1974.
Rasheed said: "We respect Kuwaiti team and Oman's recent victory by four goals does not mean anything in today's match."
"Our mission will not be easy, because the Gulf Cup tournaments always witness many surprises, but we are determined to achieve the best possible start."
“The pressure is present in the Gulf Cup, whether on Oman or the rest of the teams, but we look forward to achieving the required goals," he added.
Oman player Mohammed al Musallami said, "the opening matches are always difficult. While Kuwait team is strong on their home ground and among their fans, but we do not suffer from pressure before the Gulf Cup, unlike the competition in the World Cup qualifiers."
"Our match against Kuwait will be different from the Asian qualifiers for the World Cup, as the Blues have been developed recently and will play on their home ground and among their fans."
Oman team line up: Ibrahim al Mukhaini, Faiz al Rushaidi, Ibrahim al Rajhi, Ahmed al Khamisi, Mohammed al Musallami, Ali al Busaidy, Amjad al Harthy, Thani al Rashidi, Ahmed al Kaabi, Khalid al Buraiki, Mulham al Sunaidy, Harib al Saadi, Abdullah Fawaz, Ahed al Mashaikhi, Hussein al Shahari, Arshad al Alawi, Jameel al Yahmadi, Zaher al Aghbari, Moataz Saleh, Salah al Yahyaei, Abdulrahman al Mushaifri, Essam al Subhi, Al Faraj al Kiyumi, Abdulsalam al Shukaili and Al Munthir al Alawi.
KUWAIT WELL-PREPARED
Kuwait head coach Rui Bento highlighted the readiness of the 'Blues', following an overseas training camp that included three friendly matches to prepare for the tournament and raise the players' competitive level.
"The team is well-prepared and is determined to give its best performance,” Bento said.
“This readiness brings great enthusiasm and energy, especially with the presence of supportive fans.”
“We are ready for the tournament after the external training camp and we need our fans to attend and support the team during this important event.”
Kuwaiti player Mubarak Al Fane expressed confidence of making a good start. “We have prepared ourselves for the tournament and are eagerly anticipating the matches. We promise to give our all to represent the nation in the best way possible.”
The organising committee will follow Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation rules, where 8 per cent of the stadium will be allocated to Omani fans in the opening match and will apply for all team that will face Kuwait. In the other matches, the distribution rate will be 40 per cent for each party, 10 per cent for Kuwaiti Federation and 10 per cent for the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation.
The latest Fifa rankings have placed Gulf national teams in the following global positions:
1. Qatar — 48th
2. Iraq — 56th
3. Saudi Arabia — 59th
4. UAE — 63rd
5. Oman — 80th
6. Bahrain — 81st
7. Kuwait — 134th
8. Yemen — 158th
Pics by Hussain al Maqbali
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