12-08-2025
Oman U20s return to action for Gulf Cup
MUSCAT, AUG 12
The Oman Under-20 team will be back in action after long absence on Wednesday for the first domestic training camp, under new coaching staff led by Hamed al Azani. The camp will run from Wednesday until August 23.
The scheduled local gathering is part of the team's preparations for the inaugural U20 Gulf Cup which is set to take place in Saudi Arabia from August 28 to September 10, 2025. Oman will play in Group B alongside Iraq, Bahrain and Egypt (as guest team in the event) while Group A comprises Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Yemen. Oman will meet Egypt on August 29 and then will take on Bahrain on September 1 and will conclude the group matches on September 4 against Iraq.
The new head coach, Hamed al Azani, opted for a 28-player squad for the domestic camp including most of the players, born in 2007 and 2008 and took part in the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia earlier this year under former coach Anwar al Habsi. Al Azani preferred to continue with this squad for better harmony as part of the team's future preparation for the upcoming U20 Asian Championship qualifiers in 2026.
This training phase will represent Oman's first appearance in youth competition since last September's U20 Asian Cup qualifiers led by former coach Ahmed al Alawi. The camp which will start on Wednesday will allow the coaching staff to thoroughly assess talent and prepare effectively for the Gulf Cup. Also, it will be vital to help the young players grow and develop experiences that will serve them in future continental challenges.
Oman U20 Squad: Riyadh al Tarshi, Hussam al Naabi, Al Waleed al Abdulsalam, Firas al Saadi, Ahmed al Omrani, Osama al Maamari, Amed al Rawahi, Al Yazen al Balushi, Mohammed al Mashakheyi, Yazen al Khaldi, Abdulaziz al Balushi, Ibrahim al Tamimi, Ali al Owaini, Al Hassan al Qasmi, Fahad al Mashakehyi, Al Waleed al Buraidi, Ibrahim al Shamsi, Ziyad al Matani, Abdullah al Wahabi, Ali al Alawi, Mohammed Ghanim, Momen al Souli, Fahad Bait Rabee, AbdulRahman al Busaidy, Sulieman al Kharousi, Tamim al Buraii, Muzun al Hinai and Al Waleed al Rashdi.
