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Oman look to seal semis berth today

The Omani players have realised that winning tonight’s match against Kuwait will take them directly to the second round of the Gulf Cup, irrespective of the result of their last group match against Yemen.

  • By Yasir Abbasher, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:36 May 3, 2009
  • Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: The Omani players have realised that winning tonight's match against Kuwait will take them directly to the second round of the Gulf Cup, irrespective of the result of their last group match against Yemen.

Oman currently lead the group with 3 points and a win tonight will increase their tally to 6 points which will be enough to guarantee them a semifinals berth.

Oman had reached the final of the 17th Gulf Cup which they lost in a penalty shootout to hosts Qatar in 2004. Their players and coach, Milan Macala, have said that this time, they will not repeat the mistake they had made in Doha and that their goal is to return to Muscat with the winners' trophy.

Kuwait, nine-time winners of the title, suffered greatly against Yemen last Wednesday and will miss the services of their left wing-back Mousaad Nada, who was sent off.

The Kuwait strikers lost many easy scoring chances in their previous game. Tonight, they will have to concentrate harder against the more experienced and capable Omani defence, led by Mohammad Rabie, the team captain, and Khalifa Ayel. Both play professional football in Qatar.

The team will also be backed by their goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, who plays for Bolton in the English Premiere League and was adjudged the Best Goalkeeper in the last edition of the Gulf Cup.

The match will also see Kuwait striker Badr Al Mutawa, the second-best player in Asia last year, in action against Al Habsi, the only player from the Gulf region to play in Europe.

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