Adil Al Balushi
Muscat, August 12
Oman U-19 football team is under intensive training programme ahead of AFC U-19 Asian Cup qualifiers assignment which will take place in Salalah during September 12 to 18. The ongoing preparatory gathering began in Muscat on Wednesday under watchful eyes of Spanish coach David Grodo. The domestic warm up camp which is held in Muscat will run until Tuesday and for a duration of seven days. During the previous training sessions which took place on Thursday and Friday at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex venue, the 52 years old focused on enhancing fitness sides of the players beside implementation of some technical and tactical practices.
Oman is placed in AFC U-19 Asian Cup qualifiers beside Philippine, Afghanistan and Thailand in group G. Among ten groups, the topper in each group beside five best runners-up will join hosts Uzbekistan in the 2023 Finals. With the advantage of home as Oman will host group matches, the national team boys will eye in the forthcoming crucial assignment to ensure presence of Oman in the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan which will be held from March 1 to 18, 2023.
Oman U-19 boys team completed their latest participation at the 2022 Arab Cup U-20 Championship in Abha city, Saudi Arabia. The team crashed out from group stage as they struggled in the opener and suffered a 1-0 defeat from African heavyweights Egypt in a tough clash. Then, the team registered a 2-0 win over Somalia 2-0 in the second match. However, the only triumph was not enough to progress into the quarterfinals of the Championship which ended recently and Saudi team crowned as champions after beating rivals Egypt in the final match.
