Oman U-17 team lose to Iraq at West Asian Championships

Oman U-17 team suffered another defeat from Iraq team 2-0 at the under way West Asian U-17 Championships on Thursday night at Boqa football complex.

The second successive defeat meant, Oman junior team crashed out from the West Asian U-17 Championships which is taking place in Jordan until end of the existing month.

On the other hand, Iraq’s second straight victory confirmed their moving to the semifinals of the tournament as they are leading the table with six points.

For the same group, the hosts Jordan blanked title holders Yemen 1-0 to seal berth into the last-four stage. Jordan have the same amount of points but goal difference positioned them in second place.

Oman, coached by Spanish Pablo Herrero Fernandez, will conclude their assignment at West Asian U-17 Championships with a match against Yemen on Saturday.

Oman began the campaign at the championship with a 1-0 loss against Jordan in the opener.

West Asian U-17 Championships was the first official assignment for the experienced coach Pablo Herrero Fernandez who will definitely evaluate this participation with the coaching staff.

The West Asian tourney in Jordan was vital for the coaching staff to understand the players technically for the forthcoming events including the AFC U17 Asian qualifiers.

Post the West Asian event, the Oman team will be back in action soon as the summer period will be perfect chance for the technical staff to organise more warm up sessions as the players are off from their schools and universities.

It is expected the team will have some domestic preparatory camps in Salalah or in Muscat during the coming days.

In August, the team will have an overseas camp in Europe and the destination will be finalised by national committee soon after arrangement of more friendly matches.

Oman will host Group C qualifiers of AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023. The group will feature Iraq, Qatar, Lebanon and Bahrain. The qualifiers will take place from October 1 to 9 in Muscat. The 10 group winners and five best second-placed teams will join in the finals.