Oman, Australia to battle for points

Muscat: Three vital points are at stake that could propel either hosts Oman or Australia to top of the group in the Asia Cup qualifying tournament when the two clash today at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.

Oman's most successful coach Calude Le Roy admitted that the home team could feel the pressure. "We are under pressure to win and take three points," the French coach said at a media briefing held at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel.

He is looking at the good omen too. "When we won the Gulf Cup we stayed at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel and trained at the Muscat Club, we are doing the same this time for good luck," he hoped.

Oman's key player Ahmad Mubarak ‘Kanu' is injured but Le Roy is unfazed. "Kanu is key to our planning but we have players who are capable of filling in for him," he said, adding that he would not like to show his cards and reveal names.

In their first leg match in Melbourne last month, Oman fought tooth and nail before going down by a late goal and Australian coach Pim Verbeek expects an aggressive match up this time too.

"In Melbourne, Oman didn't surprise me at all," he said during the media briefing held separately at the match venue where the Aussies were training. He also said that they had done enough study on the Oman team by watching their matches live or on DVD.

"We knew how they would play and their main players and it remains the same even now, for this match," he said, hinting a cracker of a match that both sides are keen to win and stay ahead in the race to qualify.

Verbeek praised the venue and Oman Football Association for their hospitality. "This turf is good and with small grass it would be fast and to our liking," he commented.

He agreed that the partisan crows would back Oman. "I know they would be aggressive on field and we would also be looking to attack and grab early advantage."

The two teams looking to take full points are expected to give football aficionados a game to remember.