17 hours ago
Red Warriors resume final trainings ahead of Palestine clash
MUSCAT: Oman national football team resumed training in Amman city in Jordan ahead of their decisive Group B encounter against Palestine on Tuesday in the AFC Asian Qualifiers — Road to 26. The match will determine the final team from the group to reach the playoff stage, keeping hopes alive for a place at the Fifa World Cup 2026.
Following their arrival in the Jordanian capital on Friday, the Red Warriors returned to the training pitch on Saturday night, beginning their recovery and tactical preparations. The team is scheduled to hold its final official training session on Monday at King Abdullah II Stadium, the venue of Tuesday's high-stakes clash.
Currently sitting one point ahead of Palestine, Oman will enter the match with two possible paths to progression including victory or a draw that will secure their place in the playoff phase. For Palestine, however, only a victory will be enough to leapfrog Oman and continue their remarkable qualifying journey.
Oman will enter the match with two possible paths to progression including victory or a draw that will secure their place in the playoff phase
The last two days training in Amman saw Oman's coaching staff emphasise recovery drills, physical conditioning, and tactical formations tailored for Tuesday's encounter. Coach Rasheed has called for full focus and discipline from his players, underlining the importance of capitalising on their position and experience. Also, the coaching staff are working to find the best alternative player to cover the place of experienced Ali al Busaidy who will miss this essential match due to two yellow cards in the previous match while Bangkok United forward player Mohsin al Ghassani will be available in Palestine's critical match after an absence in the last game against Jordan. His availability will provide more strength in the attacking side as Oman's suffered to score in the previous encounter.
Oman players during the last training session
Oman's automatic qualification hopes came to an end following a 3-0 home defeat to Jordan on Thursday night in Muscat in a match where Jordan's striker Ali Olwan scored a memorable hat-trick to send his nation to the World Cup for the first time in history. Now, Rasheed Jaber's men must regroup quickly and deliver a result that keeps their dream alive through the playoff route.
Palestine, making their debut at this stage of the AFC Qualifiers, impressed with back-to-back victories, including a 2-0 win over Kuwait in the latter's home and will approach the clash with confidence and high momentum.
The Iranian referee Mooud Bonyadifard will officiate the match between Oman and Palestine beside an assistant of Iranian umpiring team comprised from Redha Idroom and Farhad Marooji as assistant referrers and Bayam Haydri as fourth umpire.
