Latest news with #AlSeeb
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Al Seeb a tough team, but FC Goa have possibilities to win playoff and qualify for ACL Two: Manolo Marquez
Ahead of the crucial single-leg playoff against Al Seeb, FC Goa coach Manolo Marquez monitors a training session at the Field of Dreams in Guirim on Saturday Panaji: Manolo Marquez is happy to be back at FC Goa after a short, uneventful full-time stint with the national team. Last season, the experienced Spanish coach guided the team to a second-place finish in the Indian Super League (ISL) and a Super Cup triumph. Now, amid uncertainty surrounding Indian football, Goa have to focus on the AFC Champions League Two playoff clash against Al Seeb on Aug 13, with plenty at stake. In this interview with TOI , Manolo throws light on the new signings, preparation, opposition and the team's chances. Excerpts… Last season you mentioned that FC Goa was among the best group of players that you had managed in your career. Given your not-so-memorable experiences with the national team, are you happy to be back? Yes, because finally you want to work where you are happy. We need to start again. There is continuity (with the players) but football is not about what you did in the past. We cannot think of how we finished last season (winning the Super Cup). We need to start the new season on a strong note. It's a strange and a different season, given the uncertainty around Indian football. We don't know anything about ISL, but we have an important match on August 13. Does the uncertainty about the ISL bother you or the players? Not just FC Goa, the worry is everywhere. I have been reading (reports) that some teams have told the foreigners that they are free to leave, if they have offers elsewhere. If there's no quick solution, things will turn worse. If in the end, they tell us that the ISL will start in December, it's late, but still okay. At least we know that the league will be held. The doubts are not good. Is it affecting preparations for the AFC Champions League Two playoff? It's a very important game and the players are focused. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Vietnam: Harga Implan Pergigian Mungkin Mengejutkan Anda Dental Implants Search Now Undo The pre-season training is a typical one, doesn't change much. We need to work tactically, physically, mentally, and technically. How do you see Goa's clash against Al Seeb in the playoff? We know the team we face. They were champions of the AFC Cup in 2022. Their team is practically the national team of Oman with a high percentage of players who are fighting to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in history. It's a very strong team. We have to be at our best, and there will be possibilities to win this game. I hope we have a full stadium; we need the fans. In my opinion, it will be an equal game. Goa have three new foreign players with two of them -- David Timor and Pol Moreno – playing in India for the first time. Do you think they can make up for the absence of captain Odei Onaindia and Carl McHugh, two important players from the last two seasons? It's difficult to compare. The reality is that David Timor and Pol Moreno are players with a lot of experience. Timor is a big player in Spain and has played about 400 games in the top divisions. I know Pol Moreno because he's from my city (Barcelona). I have known him for a long time. He's a good centre-back for this competition, for sure. A lot of fans expected Goa to sign a high-profile striker… A lot of people are expecting Coro, but there's only one Coro. There's only one Barth Ogbeche. You cannot find these kind of players easily in the (transfer) market. Javier Siverio was my player at Las Palmas (in Spain), then Hyderabad, and now here at FC Goa. He will always score goals. Siverio is completely aware of what people think about his game. He will continue to do his job, and he will always score goals. We were searching for a number nine (on the field), someone who hovers inside the box. Siverio will do the job for us. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Our aim is to qualify for 2026 World Cup: Carlos Queiroz
Muscat: Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, head coach of the Oman national football team, expressed his happiness at taking over the task of coaching the national team. He stressed his full commitment to serving Omani football and will make efforts to achieve the aspirations of the fans in the coming period, most notably qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. During the introductory press conference held on Tuesday at the Oman Football Association headquarters, Queiroz said: 'It is a pleasure to be here today. From the moment I arrived, we began working hard. I believe that our job is not only technical, but also to make the fans happy and instill a sense of pride and belonging, and we will do everything in our power to achieve that.' The veteran Portuguese coach pointed out that the challenges ahead are not easy, but they are not impossible either, stressing that smart work on the field and full cooperation off it are the key to success in achieving this great goal. Queiroz revealed the outlines of his preparatory plan for the next phase, which begins with a thorough study of the team and players, covering all physical and technical aspects. He emphasised that he closely monitors the performance of professional players abroad, has watched all of the national team's recent matches, and has a clear picture of the team's strengths and weaknesses. He explained that the first stage of preparation will be a training camp in Turkiye, in the absence of Al-Seeb players due to their commitment to the AFC Champions League 2 competition. This will be followed by participation in the Central Asian Championship, which will be hosted by Uzbekistan later. Queiroz emphasised that technical work alone is not enough, but must be accompanied by a strong commitment from all parties, saying, "We need the cooperation of the fans, the players, and the federation. Discipline, positive behaviour, and work ethic are the foundations upon which we will build our project." Referring to the upcoming qualifying matches in Group A, Queiroz said: 'I know the Qatari and Emirati teams well. We have talented players, and we have a great opportunity that we must take advantage of.' He concluded his remarks with a message to the Omani fans, urging them to continue their unwavering support: 'You are our 12th player. Your presence behind us gives us strong motivation, and we promise to live up to the responsibility.'
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Amid uncertainty, FC Goa turn focus on ACL Two playoff
This will be the second time that FC Goa will feature in Asian competitions after their AFC Champions League debut in 2021 Panaji: For now, nobody knows the fate of the Indian Super League (ISL), which has been officially kept on hold for the season. But despite the uncertainty over the country's top-tier league, FC Goa have said they are committed to putting their 'best foot forward' for the crucial AFC Champions League Two playoff clash next month. Goa won the Super Cup last season to qualify for continental competitions. Amid the uncertainty, the single-leg ACL Two preliminary clash against Al Seeb has come early in the season – August 13 to be precise – leaving the club with little time for preparation. Questions were asked whether Goa would give the competition a miss. However, CEO Ravi Puskur said the club recognises its responsibility to represent the country on the continental stage. 'Withdrawing at this stage would not only invite significant sanctions but also leave a permanent stain on everything we've worked to build over the past decade,' Puskur told TOI on Sunday. 'That is not a message we are willing to send, to our players, our fans, or to Indian football at large.' Puskur, though, acknowledged that the prevailing uncertainty has severely hampered the team's preparations. 'The lack of clarity around the domestic calendar and broader structural issues have made it extremely challenging to plan effectively. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like الذهب يشهد ارتفاعًا قويًا في عام 2025 - المتداولون الأذكياء دخلوا السوق بالفعل. IC Markets تعرف على المزيد Undo This disruption is bound to have an impact. That said, we are committed to putting our best foot forward. We will do everything in our capacity to set aside the distractions and focus on delivering a performance that brings value and pride to Indian football at the Asian level,' said Puskur. Should Goa cross the preliminary hurdle against Oman champions Al Seeb, they will move to the group stage where Cristiano Ronaldo 's Al-Nassr FC will be one of the participants. Goa have already completed their foreign quota for the season with all six players expected to arrive later this week to prepare for the playoff. The foreigners include Dejan Drazic, Borja Herrera, Iker Guarrotxena, Javier Siverio, David Timor and Pol Moreno. The ACL Two features the largest cast across the AFC's club competitions and the 2025-26 edition will see 29 sides -- 14 from the West and 15 from the East -- granted entry to the Group Stage, with six more teams to occupy the indirect slots and do battle in the Preliminary Stage. The winner of each Preliminary Stage tie will progress to the Group Stage, while the losing side will have to settle for a spot in the third-tier AFC Challenge League.
Times of Oman
10-06-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
Military Hajj Mission returns home
Muscat: The military Hajj mission returned home on Tuesday after performing this year's Hajj pilgrimage in the Holy Land. Upon arrival at Al Seeb Air Base, the mission was received by Maj. Gen (retired) Hamad Sulaiman Al Hatmi, along with several senior officers from the Sultan's Armed Forces and other military and security units. The military Hajj mission returned aboard several transport aircraft of the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO). The delegation included a number of pilgrims and administrative personnel from the Sultan's Armed Forces and other military and security units. All members of the mission performed the Hajj rituals with ease and returned in good health. The dispatch of the military Hajj mission comes under the directives of His Majesty the Supreme Commander and is organised annually by the Moral Guidance and Military Protocol Department of the Sultan's Armed Forces. Comprehensive administrative and health measures related to the mission were implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, the Omani Hajj Mission, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Sultanate of Oman, and other relevant authorities. The military mission was accompanied by a fully integrated administrative team comprising specialists in administration, medical services, media, and technical support. -ONA
Observer
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Seeb, Oman Club secure crucial wins in OPL
MUSCAT, APRIL 12 Seeb Club managed to achieve an important 1-0 victory over their guest Bahla in a postponed match from the 16th round of the Omantel League. The match was held on Friday evening at the Seeb Sports Stadium, allowing Seeb to continue leading the standings on their own. The game began with both teams cautiously testing each other, but Seeb soon imposed their clear dominance over the proceedings, while Bahla retreated into a defensive posture. Al Seeb's attempts created constant pressure on goalkeeper Salah al Handhali's net, but the final touch was missing from the attackers. Seeb came close to opening the scoring in the 43rd minute when the referee awarded a penalty after a handball by a Bahla defender. However, Omar al Malki missed the spot kick his initial shot was saved by the goalkeeper and his follow up effort went off target ending the first half in a goalless draw. In the second half, Seeb continued their attacking pressure and finally broke Bahla's defence in the 60th minute through Arshad al Alawi, who met a cross and fired it directly into the net, scoring the only goal of the match. Following the goal, Al Seeb's coach turned to his bench, making several substitutions, while Bahla's coach responded with two changes, bringing on Al Qassim al Salimi and Hamoud al Buraidi. The latter nearly scored an equaliser with a low shot inside the box, but it narrowly missed the post. Despite both teams exchanging attempts in the final minutes, Seeb held onto their lead until the final whistle, collecting three valuable points that raised their tally to 44, keeping them at the top of the league. Meanwhile, Bahla remained at 19 points in eighth place. Oman Downs Al Shabab with Al Maashari's Goal, Strengthens Hold on Third Place Oman Club clinched a valuable 1-0 away win over Al Shabab in a postponed match from the 15th week of the 2024/2025 Omantel League season. The game took place on Friday evening at Al Shabab Stadium. The only goal of the match came early in the 16th minute of the first half, after a perfectly executed direct free kick by Mohammed al Maashari that found the back of the net, giving his team an early advantage. Oman Club players delivered a strong performance both defensively and offensively, dominating most of the match and displaying clear coordination across all three lines. In contrast, Al Shabab tried to get back into the game and push for an equaliser, but Oman's defence stood firm, successfully closing the spaces and neutralising any threats. With this victory, Oman Club raised their tally to 31 points, maintaining their position in third place in the league standings, while Al Shabab remained at 20 points in sixth place.
