Know India National Team's Rivals: Oman
tells you everything you need to know about the Reds who are India's opponents in the opening fixture of the 2018 World Cup Pre-Qualifiers...
| Quick Facts |
Country: Oman
FIFA Ranking: 101
Nicknames: The Reds, The Red Warriors
Last official match played: Oman 1-2 Syria (5th June, 2015)
Coach: Paul Le Guen
Nicknames: The Reds, The Red Warriors
Last official match played: Oman 1-2 Syria (5th June, 2015)
Coach: Paul Le Guen
| Team Highlights |
The Gulf country of Oman only started to have a successful football team in the late 1990s. It was then that the nation made it big in the Asian stage, winning the Asian Under 17 championship, first in 1996 and then again in 2000. They also managed to reach the semi-finals of the Under-17 World Cup in 1995.
Oman qualified for the Asian Cup in 2004, 2007 and also in 2015 where they were eliminated in the group stages, after finishing behind South Korea and eventual champions Australia. They have also managed to reach the final of the Gulf Cup of Nations thrice, and eventually clinched their maiden title in 2009 as hosts.
Oman qualified for the Asian Cup in 2004, 2007 and also in 2015 where they were eliminated in the group stages, after finishing behind South Korea and eventual champions Australia. They have also managed to reach the final of the Gulf Cup of Nations thrice, and eventually clinched their maiden title in 2009 as hosts.
What goes in favour of the Gulf side is that they have had a coach, Paul Le Guen who has been at the helm since 2011. Under the Frenchman's tutelage, Oman qualified for the Asian Cup after a long span of almost eight years.
A high profile manager, who has previously coached top sides such as PSG and Rangers among others, Le Guen has managed to turn the fortunes of the Gulf nation and has hand-picked a team with the right mix of experience and youth.
A high profile manager, who has previously coached top sides such as PSG and Rangers among others, Le Guen has managed to turn the fortunes of the Gulf nation and has hand-picked a team with the right mix of experience and youth.
Strengths: The Red Warriors have cultivated a short passing style under their French boss and they excel in playing through balls to their striker with the other midfielders making incisive runs around him as outlets. The full-backs too press on at every opportunity creating width and also space for the central attackers.
Weaknesses: As evidenced in the Asian Cup, Oman were undone under Australia's brute physical play. They do not enjoy playing long balls and might get suffocated if space for their passes is cut out. They looked much more comfortable in their match against South Korea which they lost narrowly 1-0. Unlike Australia, the Koreans rely on a style similar to Oman and hence the Reds did not have much difficulty coping with that, but a failure to bury their chances cost them eventually.
Weaknesses: As evidenced in the Asian Cup, Oman were undone under Australia's brute physical play. They do not enjoy playing long balls and might get suffocated if space for their passes is cut out. They looked much more comfortable in their match against South Korea which they lost narrowly 1-0. Unlike Australia, the Koreans rely on a style similar to Oman and hence the Reds did not have much difficulty coping with that, but a failure to bury their chances cost them eventually.
| Lessons From the Past |
Asian Cup 2015 campaign: Oman were drawn in a tough group containing South Korea, Australia and Kuwait. Facing up against eventual champions, Australia first up they were blown away by the physical and direct style of the Socceroos and went down 4-0. While the match against South Korea was a better fit, a solitary goal handed them a 1-0 defeat. With nothing to play for anymore, they salvaged some lost pride with a 1-0 win over Kuwait but crashed out of the group stages itself after finishing third.
Head-to-Head with India
Total Matches played: 4
Matches won by India: 1
Matches won by Oman: 2
Matches drawn: 1
Goals scored by Oman: 11
Goals scored by India: 6
Matches won by India: 1
Matches won by Oman: 2
Matches drawn: 1
Goals scored by Oman: 11
Goals scored by India: 6
| Formation and Tactics |
Paul Le Guen adheres to a 4-3-3 formation, which is different the usual 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-1-1 employed by most coaches in the continent. Yet, Le Guen changed it all around when it came to the Asian Cup and has been relying on a 4-2-3-1 formation ever since.
While Ali Al Habsi will be expected to be the commanding figure between the sticks, left-back Al Busaidi who is known for his bombing runs forward will start in his favoured position with Sallam Amur and Al Musalami making up the centre-back pairing, as was the case during the Asian Cup.
Jaber Al Owaisi who was the go to right back during the Asian Cup has not travelled to India and his place would most likely be taken by 22-year-old Ali Salim Al Nahar who already has 23 international caps to his name.
In midfield, 30-year-old Ahmed Kano who has 122 caps for the national side will look to partner Eid Mohammed in the middle of the park in what would be a double pivot. Ahead of them, Raed Ibrahim will seek to hamper defenses by making his tactical right wing bound runs. On the left flank, Qasim Said is an ever present figure with exceptional dribbling abilities and pace to burn.
In attack, the baton is to be carried by AbdulAziz Al Muqbali who has already bagged 15 goals for the national team supported by the hugely experienced Imad Al Hosni behind him who has 36 goals in 112 appearances.
| Ali Al Habsi(c) Al Busaidi – Al Musalami –Sallam Amur – Ali Salim Eid Mohammed - Ahmed Kano Raed Ibrahim - Al Hosni - Qasim Said Al Muqbali |
How they play: Oman are one of the few Asian teams who prefer to keep the ball on the ground as they look to stretch out the opposition. A side which does not boast the aerial prowess or physicality of the West Asian sides, they have to make do with quick incisive passing and rapid counter-attacks, something which coach, Paul Le Guen has perfected. Their transition from attack to defense is instant and they will cut the opposition open, if afforded the tiniest iota of space. The side's strength lies in its dynamic midfield where players do not have any fixed roles but enjoy interchanging their positions at will. While Eid Mohammed prefers to play the role of a deep lying playmaker, distributing passes from the half-line, he too can join in attack when called upon.
The young wingers, Raed Ibrahim and Qasim Said bring terrific pace and trickery on the wings for the side as they like to stretch the opposition before darting inside to play a quick pass or go for goal themselves. With so many attacking players, the experienced Ahmed Kano sits in the middle of the park and ventures to do his job without flair as he looks to break opposition attacks while creating their own.
While the freedom afforded to his players might mean that Oman are not an efficiently organized side, it is clearly the opposite. When they lose the ball, both the wide midfielders drop back and two banks of four are created against the opposition. While the high intensity game does take a lot from the players, the interchanging does leave Oman sometimes guilty of giving a too much space for the opposition to exploit.
Players retained from the Asian Cup Squad: Ali Al Habsi is the only goalkeeper to survive with Faiz Al Rushaidi and Riyadh Al Alawai being the new entrants to the squad. In defense, Fahad Nasid Bamasila and Fahad Al-Jalabubi are new additions while Jaber Al Owaisi, Al Shatri and Hassan Mudhafar miss out.
In midfield, the players from the Asian Cup return save for Mohammed Al Shiyabi who is replaced by 21-year-old Yaseen Al Sheyadi who has 2 caps already.
In attack, although mainstays Qasim Said, Al Muqbali and Al Hosni return, Yaqoob Abdul Karim and Said Al Ruzaiqi are axed and instead youngsters, Saud Al Farsi and Abdul Rahman Al Ghassani have been inducted into the squad.
The young wingers, Raed Ibrahim and Qasim Said bring terrific pace and trickery on the wings for the side as they like to stretch the opposition before darting inside to play a quick pass or go for goal themselves. With so many attacking players, the experienced Ahmed Kano sits in the middle of the park and ventures to do his job without flair as he looks to break opposition attacks while creating their own.
While the freedom afforded to his players might mean that Oman are not an efficiently organized side, it is clearly the opposite. When they lose the ball, both the wide midfielders drop back and two banks of four are created against the opposition. While the high intensity game does take a lot from the players, the interchanging does leave Oman sometimes guilty of giving a too much space for the opposition to exploit.
Players retained from the Asian Cup Squad: Ali Al Habsi is the only goalkeeper to survive with Faiz Al Rushaidi and Riyadh Al Alawai being the new entrants to the squad. In defense, Fahad Nasid Bamasila and Fahad Al-Jalabubi are new additions while Jaber Al Owaisi, Al Shatri and Hassan Mudhafar miss out.
In midfield, the players from the Asian Cup return save for Mohammed Al Shiyabi who is replaced by 21-year-old Yaseen Al Sheyadi who has 2 caps already.
In attack, although mainstays Qasim Said, Al Muqbali and Al Hosni return, Yaqoob Abdul Karim and Said Al Ruzaiqi are axed and instead youngsters, Saud Al Farsi and Abdul Rahman Al Ghassani have been inducted into the squad.
| Players To Watch Out For |
Abdul Aziz Al Muqbali: The 26-year-old Reds' striker is a potent goal scoring threat. He was the only Omanese scorer in their disappointing Asian Cup campaign in Australia while he also managed a brace in the 6-0 demolition of Malaysia in March. The Indian defense would have to be wary of the target-man if they are to escape from the encounter with a victory.
Ahmed 'Kano' Mubarak: The defensive midfielder for Oman is the man who keeps things tidy in the centre of the park. He is also known to occasionally step forward to join in the attack and is the team's designated set-piece taker. The 30-year-old also has 12 goals to his name and led his club side, Al Oruba to the top spot in the Oman league.
Ali Al Habsi: Last but not least, no mention of the Oman national football team can go without the mention of their goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi who has represented Wigan in the English Premier League. Habsi continues to lead the side, even though he is currently without a club and will be the last line of defense for the Reds.
| Coach - Paul Le Guen |
The 51-year-old Frenchamn has been in charge of the Red Warriors since 2011 and masterminded their return to the biggest continental stage, 2015 Asian Cup after a long span of eight years.
A distinguished professional during his playing career, Le Guen had turned out for France 17 times before deciding to become a coach after retiring from Paris Saint-Germain with 248 appearances. He immediately took over the charge of Ligue 1 club, Rennes before joining Olympique Lyon, who were French Champions thice consecutively under his tutelage.
After a stint with Rangers, he returned to his old club, PSG in a managerial role but was unsuccessful as the club was tottering dangerously close to relegation during his tenure. A foreign journey saw him take over the Cameroon national football team, who he guided to 2010 World Cup qualification but resigned immediately following the group stage ouster.
Instead of returning to manage in France, Le Guen opted to take on Oman who were going through a lean patch with the goal of making them an Asian powerhouse. While in his first go at the Gulf Cup, he was ousted in the group stages in Bahrain, Le Guen's side finished fourth in the 2014 edition.
However a disappointing showing in the Asian Cup where they were eliminated in the first round, would be quickly forgotten if Oman sail out unscathed in their World Cup Qualification Group.
Paul Le Guen: "I will not take them (India) lightly, but I believe we will progress from this group without much hiccups. My immediate aim is to target the top two places in Group D. Team manager Mohammed Al Alawi had visited the Sree Kanteerava stadium ground recently found the surface uneven and bumpy, and that worries me."
TeamPPts
After a stint with Rangers, he returned to his old club, PSG in a managerial role but was unsuccessful as the club was tottering dangerously close to relegation during his tenure. A foreign journey saw him take over the Cameroon national football team, who he guided to 2010 World Cup qualification but resigned immediately following the group stage ouster.
Instead of returning to manage in France, Le Guen opted to take on Oman who were going through a lean patch with the goal of making them an Asian powerhouse. While in his first go at the Gulf Cup, he was ousted in the group stages in Bahrain, Le Guen's side finished fourth in the 2014 edition.
However a disappointing showing in the Asian Cup where they were eliminated in the first round, would be quickly forgotten if Oman sail out unscathed in their World Cup Qualification Group.
Paul Le Guen: "I will not take them (India) lightly, but I believe we will progress from this group without much hiccups. My immediate aim is to target the top two places in Group D. Team manager Mohammed Al Alawi had visited the Sree Kanteerava stadium ground recently found the surface uneven and bumpy, and that worries me."
COMPETITIONS
COMPETITIONS
Matchday 1
2nd Round
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário