Emphasis on youth
Confederation (AFC) has decided to host the remaining rounds of the Group E qualifiers in Doha in June, with Oman meeting Qatar on June 7.
The Red Warriors play Afghanistan on June 11 before concluding the campaign on June 15 with a match against Bangladesh. The four best runners-up across all eight groups will advance to the World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup. The remaining four runners-up will advance to the Asian Cup qualifying third round.
The probables list for Dubai camp does not include senior players like Raeed Ibrahim, Eid al Farsi and Ali al Nahar but 14 of the players picked are in the age-group of 17-26 years.
Addressing a press meet on Tuesday, Ivankovic said, “We need to have the best possible squad assembled for the qualifiers. Three more matches are remaining in the qualification and we have to improve our technical standards to ensure a top-two finish.
“We will have three camps ahead of the qualifiers with the first in Dubai. During our camp in Dubai, we will play against two local UAE clubs.
“The main objective is to maintain high fitness level of our players. The next stage of our preparations will be completed after Eid holidays next month.”
Two friendlies in May
Ivankovic said that the second overseas camp will also be in Dubai and is scheduled from May 16-30.
Oman is scheduled to play two international friendlies during this camp.
Oman will meet Thailand on May 25 and then play against Indonesia on May 29.
The Red Warriors third and final camp will be in Qatar from June 1-5 before their game against the hosts.
The 67 year old coach also called up three new players from the Olympic team. They are goalkeeper Yousuf al Shiyadi, Arshad al Alawi and defended Saud al Habsi.
Ivankovic hoped that Jameel al Yahmadi's release issues with his club – Al Markhiya - will be sorted and the player could be available for the camp and the qualifiers. The coach hoped that the injured striker Mundhir al Alawi, who is on recovery path, will be fit for the June qualifiers.
Oman probables: Faiz al Rushaidi, Yousuf al Shiyadi, Ahmed al Rawahi, Ibrahim al Mukhaini, Mohammed al Musalami, Ahmed al Khumaisi, Issam al Subhi, Fahmi Said, Juma al Habsi, Abdulaziz al Ghailani, Ali al Busaidi, Ahmed al Kaabi, Abbas al Hashami, Abdullah Fawaz, Arshad al Alawi, Harib Jameel, Yazeed al Mashani, Amjad al Harthy, Zahr al Aghbari, Salah al Yahyaei, Omar al Fazari, Mohsin Jawhar, Yaseen al Sheyadi, Abdulaziz al Miqbali, Mohammed al Ghafri, Khalid al Hajri, Mohsin al Ghassani, Omar al Malki and Saud al Habsi.