JEDDAH: Oman head coach Tarik Sektioui has careworn that his facet will battle till the ultimate whistle to maintain their Gulf Cup 27 qualification hopes alive once they face Kuwait within the decisive remaining spherical of Group A.
“The match is essential for us, and so long as there may be hope of qualifying, we are going to work for it 100 per cent,” Sektioui mentioned on the pre-match press convention.
The Moroccan coach underlined that “The crew is working in direction of each short- and long-term aims, with Tuesday’s match representing an vital step within the improvement of the nationwide facet.”
“The three-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia within the earlier spherical was a harsh end result contemplating the trouble made by his gamers.”
“I’m a person dedicated to my work, and I need to serve Oman in a method that advantages the nationwide crew sooner or later. Our present circumstances are utterly totally different from our earlier participation, with many absences and accidents which have affected our efficiency,” he defined.
“We got here right here with a transparent plan to make a efficiency that displays the aspirations of the Omani followers and to make this participation an actual step in direction of enhancing the crew within the long-term,” Sektioui added.
Oman has one level from two matches, following a draw with Iraq earlier than dropping to Saudi Arabia.
They need to beat Kuwait and look ahead to the end result of the opposite group match to maintain their qualification hopes alive.
Kuwait coach Helio Sousa on the Oman-Kuwait pre-match press convention. — Abdulwahid al Hamadani
Kuwait, in the meantime, will enter the ultimate spherical with out a level after successive defeats to Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Portuguese coach Helio Sousa mentioned his crew would proceed to method the match with the identical willpower regardless of having already been eradicated.
“We all the time search for victory and attempt to right our errors. I all the time play to win, not simply to keep away from defeat, as a result of we’re planning to compete for titles sooner or later and develop a brand new identification for the Blue,” Sousa mentioned.
Sousa additionally urged Kuwaiti soccer to look ahead quite than stay centered on previous achievements, noting the event of competing groups and the necessity for continued work to boost the nationwide crew’s degree.
Iraq, who’ve three factors after beating Kuwait, will face Saudi Arabia within the different Group A match, with qualification at stake.
Iraq coach Graham Arnold mentioned his crew had rigorously analysed the Saudi facet and was ready for the stress of enjoying in opposition to the hosts.
“We have now analysed Saudi Arabia’s type of play rigorously, and we all know how they play, particularly as now we have confronted them earlier than,” Arnold mentioned.
He careworn that “Saudi Arabia possess sturdy gamers and are efficient at urgent, whereas the house benefit would add to the problem.”
Saudi Arabia, already assured of a semi-final place after profitable their opening two matches, are focusing on high spot.
Oman head coach Tarik Sektioui throughout the press convention. — Abdulwahid al Hamadani
Assistant coach Serafim Angelinas mentioned: “The Inexperienced Falcons would proceed to play for victory regardless of plans to make adjustments to the beginning line-up.”
“We all the time search for victory, and our ambition is to complete high of the group,”
“Some gamers could be given alternatives and enjoying minutes whereas sustaining the crew’s want to win.”
“Saudi Arabia had no choice concerning their potential semifinal opponent, stressing that each crew reaching the final 4 would have the flexibility to win.”
The ultimate spherical of Group A matches will happen on Tuesday, with Oman dealing with Kuwait at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports activities Metropolis Stadium at 9:30 pm Oman time.
Within the different Group A encounter, Saudi Arabia will meet Iraq at King Abdullah Sports activities Metropolis Stadium on the identical time.
The Arabian Gulf Cup Soccer Federation introduced that Iraq will host the twenty eighth version of the Gulf Cup in 2028, with the event scheduled to happen in December.
