MUSCAT: The national football team began technical preparations for Saudi Arabia match after a strong start and edging Japan 1-0 in the opening match of the deciding round qualifiers of the 2022 Fifa World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup on Thursday.
The forthcoming encounter of the national team against rivals Saudi Arabia will take place on Tuesday at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
The team arrived to Muscat on Friday from Osaka city and top official of OFA were in the welcoming of the team in Muscat International Airport. The officials congratulated all the players, admin and technical staff for their outstanding show in the match against Japan in Osaka city.
After arrival in Muscat, Red Warriors started the training sessions in Seeb Stadium under watchful eyes of the head coach Branko Ivankovic and his assistant technical team on Friday.
The initial session featured participation of the players who did not play in the crucial match against heavyweights Japan as they were in recovery training.
TOP SHOW
Oman head coach Branko Ivankovic affirmed during the post press conference that he promised in his statements before the match to spread the joy among the national team’s audience and this happened.
“I promised all the spectators and I am sure the audience had enjoyed the match and being happy after capturing the first three winning points,” he added.
The Croatian coach voiced confidently that he is proud to lead the Oman team. “I am sure all the spectators are proud as well with the national team players for their top show. The rain during the match was impacted quietly on player’s technical levels. However, the players showed better and gradual performances in the match and being balanced in all lines,” he said.
The 67-year-old said that the team managed to surprise the opponent with attacking tactical and this pressure in the forward line lead to victory. “I had reviewed Japan’s show in previous fixtures with the players. We could manage to know the weakness areas,” he added.
Coach Ivankovic ended his statement by recalling his memories. “I won against Japan when I was a coach of Iran team and I am repeating the triumph again at Osaka city,” he concluded.
Issam al Sabhi, who scored the only goal in the match, said that the team was willing to win this match after the top show. “The victory did not come in easy way but it was the accumulative efforts from everyone including the technical staff and players.
Al Sabhi expressed his feeling after scoring the winning goal. “ It is a great feeling to enter in the second half and you are the reason for your team’s trump. I was fully concentrated after entering the fixture and worked very hard to register a good result for the team,” he ended.
ELECTRONIC TICKETS
On the other hand, OFA unveiled the spectator’s attendance to Saudi match on Tuesday at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. An announcement from OFA twitter account explained the conditions for spectators to enter the venue. All the participants have to register in the link of “Tm Done” company on Friday. Showing the ID card and presenting your vaccination certificate during match day are mandatory for anyone who will attend the match.
