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The next edition of Asia's biggest football tournament -- The Asian Cup -- is inching closer and closer. No team is leaving any room for preparation. Many of the Indian players were engaged in the ongoing season of either Indian Super League or the I-League. In the last two FIFA international breaks, the Blue Tigers locked horns with China and Jordan.
While Constantine's boys managed a 0-0 stalemate against the Red Dragons in October, they suffered a 1-2 loss to Jordan in November.
Now, Sunil Chhetri & Co will be going up against Oman in their next International friendly, which is scheduled to be played on December 27. While most will know what the likely Indian squad will be for the match, how much does one know about Oman?
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Both India and Oman were placed in Pot 3 during draws of the 2019 Asian Cup. Group A of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup consists of host UAE, Thailand, India, and Bahrain. Meanwhile, Oman are placed in Group F along with Japan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The Omani team reached the finals of the coveted tournament after finishing top of Group D in the Third Round of the qualification stage.
In this article, we will be telling you all you need to know about India's next opponents in the International friendly, Oman.
Rank
According to the latest FIFA Rankings, Oman are ranked 82nd between Lebanon and Zambia. The Blue Tigers, in comparison, are at 97.
Oman's Coach: Pim Verbeek
Peter Tim Verbeek or simply Pim Verbeek is currently in charge of the Omani team. The veteran Dutchman has a lot of experience in managing teams. He started his career as the Assistant Manager of DS'79 (now known as FC Dordrecht) in 1981/82. His first full-time managerial role was with GVV Unitas in 1984.
The 62-year-old was made the Manager of Oman on Dec 14, 2016, and he has been there with them ever since. In the 24 matches Oman have played under him, they have won 15, drew 7, and lost only 2 -- a fantastic record indeed.
Pim's tactics are usually slow and steady build up. The team builds from the back, plays a passing game, and generally plays slow tempo. Well, these certainly seem to have worked so far as the team has performed brilliantly under him. The manager already brought glory to the nation as he led the team to the title of the 23rd Arabian Gulf Cup earlier this year. He will be leaving no stone unturned to ensure that his team gives it their all at the Asian Cup.
The coach -- who has extended his contract with Oman till 2020 -- has high expectations from the team and hopes to lead Oman to participate in the World Cup eventually.
4-2-3-1 is Pim's preferred type of formation but he is also known to you 4-4-2 on certain occasions depending upon the opposition.
Performances in the recent past?
Here are Oman's results in their previous 10 matches:
- Defeated Tajikistan 1-0 on 16 December, 2018
- Defeated Tajikistan 2-1 on 13 December, 2018
- Defeated Bahrain 2-1 on 19 November, 2018
- Drew 1-1 with Syria on 16 November, 2018
- Drew 0-0 with Ecuador on 16 October, 2018
- Drew 1-1 with the Philippines on 13 October, 2018
- Drew 0-0 with Jordan on 11 September, 2018
- Drew 0-0 with Lebanon on 9 September, 2018
- Defeated Palestine 1-0 on 27 March 2018
- Defeated UAE 5-4 (on Penalties) on 5 January, 2018
Next slide: players to watch out for and Squad
Omani Players the Blue Tigers need to watch out for
Ahmed Mubarak Al-Mahaijri is the senior-most outfield player of Oman. With over 150 caps to his name, Ahmed Kano -- as he is known -- brings vital experience to the Omani midfield. The Indian team must watch out for him.
His performances in the 2017-18 Gulf Cup earned him the title of the most valuable player of the tournament. The veteran captain also scored 3 goals during the 3rd round of AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
Abdul Aziz Humaid Mubarak Al-Muqbali is one of the senior strikers in the Omani line-up. The 29-year-old currently plays for Al-Shamal and has terrific goal-scoring prowess.
The prolific forward was also extremely impressive during the third round of AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers as he scored 6 goals and was the joint 2nd highest scorer of the tournament along with Kyrgyz footballer Anton Zemlianukhin and Kim Yu-song of DPR Korea.
The veteran forward will hope to make an impact in the Asian Cup as he has been having a comparatively dry run in 2018 (as compared to 2017).
Mohsin Johar Al-Khaldi is an important cog in Oman's midfield. The 26-year-old has a knack of scoring goals as well as providing them. The 26-year-old acts as the pivot in the centre and was impressive for the national team during both the Asia Cup qualifiers and Gulf Cup.
Goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi is one who has played in the Premier League before for Bollton and Wigan Athletic. But he is out injured and will miss the tournament altogether. He was substituted during a recent club match in the Saudi Premier League, in which he plays for Al Hilal.
Omani Team:
Goalkeepers: Faiyz Al-Rusheidi
Defenders: Mohammed Al-Maslami, Ali Salim, Ali Al-Busaidi, Abdul Al Mukhaini, Mohammed Al-Rawahi, Nasser Ali Saleh Al Shamli, Jaber Al Owaisi, Saad Suhail Juma Al-Mukhaini, Fahmi Said Rajab Durbein
Midfielders: Salah Al-Yayaei, Harib Al-Saadi, Ali Hilal Saud Al-Jabri, Mohammed Al-Siyabi, Yaseen Al-Sheyadi, Mahmood Al-Mushaifri, Jameel Al-Yahmadi, Harib Al-Saadi, Eid Mohammed Al Farsi, Raed Ibrahim Saleh, Mohsin Al-Khaldi, Qasim Said Sanjoor Hardan, Ahmed Mubarak Obaid Al Mahaijri
Strikers: Khalid bin Khalifa Al-Hajri, Abdul Aziz Humaid Mubarak Al-Muqbali, Said Salim Al-Ruzaiqi, Sami Al-Hasani
India and Oman last clashed at the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and Oman were victorious both the times. However, the Blue Tigers look a completely different unit now and can be seen playing with much more intent. It is sure to be an intense encounter. After playing India, Oman will also play friendlies against Australia and Thailand before the Asian Cup.
Pim and his troops should not have much trouble surpassing the Indian challenge. The match against Australia -- the 2nd highest ranked team of the 2019 Asian Cup -- will be a stiffer challenge.
Oman will play their first match of the AFC Asian Cup against Uzbekistan on January 9 at the Sharjah Stadium. They will certainly be high on confidence considering the fact that they are yet to be beaten this year.
