Le Guen blasts first-match nerves

Manama: Oman coach Paul Le Guen blamed stage fright for getting the better of his team after their goalless draw with hosts Bahrain in the opening game of the 21st Gulf Cup at the Bahrain National Stadium in Manama on Saturday.

The 2009 Gulf Cup champions, playing without their goalkeeping talisman Ali Al Habsi, who is on duty for English Premier League club Wigan Athletic, had more possession and greater opportunities to score in the second half but ultimately couldn’t capitalise in front of a more vocal Bahraini home support.

Oman’s best chance came when an advancing Yaqoob Abdul Kareem was brought down by Rashid Al Kooti leading up to the hour, with Ahmad Mubarak hitting the resulting free-kick directly at the wall.

Abdul Kareem was then denied by Bahraini goalkeeper Sayed Jaffar, who was on form again moments later to stop Eid Al Farsi’s low volley.

Faouzi Aaish could have put Bahrain ahead in the first half, heading wide ten minutes in and hitting the side netting before the half-hour. He then failed to control the ball in front of goal before the interval.

Oman’s Le Guen, a former boss of French side Lyon and Scottish outfit Glasgow Rangers, said: “This being the first match possibly put the players under pressure. I am not happy with the team’s display, but now we need to think about the next match against Qatar on Tuesday, where hopefully we can do better.

“I think technically we were poor,” Le Guen added. “There are many reasons for our performance; some players were not at their best level and the players may have been too nervous as they have played much better in previous matches.”

Meanwhile, Bahrain coach Gabriel Calderon seemed happy to take a point from a cagey opener. He said: “Playing against the 2009 champions and getting a point is better than nothing.

“Overall, I’m satisfied with our team’s performance considering this is our first game of the tournament.”