Oman raring to go against quality sides, says Mendis
COLOMBO: Oman are all set for the challenge against the high profile opposition in the eightnation Emerging Teams’ Asia Cup 2018, said coach Duleep Mendis.
When asked to comment on his team’s chances, Coach Duleep Mendis sounded confident and raring to go.
“We are in pretty good shape as a side. Winning the WCL 3 and staying undefeated has lifted the whole team’s morale. However, it’s a new tournament and we are going to be up against quality sides. My boys are confident they can make an impact here,” said Mendis.
Talking about the pressure of playing against top teams like India, Mendis said Oman had been waiting for the opportunity to play against superior sides.
“We are not under pressure at all as we have nothing to lose. In fact, we have a lot to gain from this tournament. We wanted to play against stronger teams and this competition provides us an excellent opportunity to test ourselves against superior opposition,” the coach added.
Replying to a question about new additions to the team, Mendis said he was glad to have a senior player back in the side after injury.
“Ajay is a seasoned campaigner and will add quality to the team. We really missed him in the WCL 3 tournament. We have also brought Wasim Ali, a youngster, with the team who will get a lot to learn from this trip. All-rounder Sindo Michael has also been picked for this tournament and their inclusion is sure to boost our fielding and middle order batting,” he added. Oman squad: Jatinder Singh, Khawar Ali (vice-capt), Aaqib Ilyas, Zeeshan Maqsood (capt), Ajay Lalcheta, Sindo Michael, Suraj Kumar, Jay Odedra, Fayyas Butt, Bilal Khan, Kaleemullah, Nester Dhamba, Twinkalkumar Bhandari, Muhammad Nadeem, Wasim Ali. (Observers): Sufyan Mahmood, Ubaid Ullah. Officials: Maqbool Moosa Yousuf al Lawati (Manager), Duleep Mendis (Head Coach), Mazhar Khan (Asst Coach), Ruwan Kalpage (Expert Coach), Evert Laubscher (Trainer), Zeeshan Siddique (Video Analyst). DUBLIN: The eyes of European football on Sunday turn to Dublin for the Euro 2020 qualifying draw with 12 nations handed the extra incentive of home advantage should they make it to the 24-team tournament in two years time for the first time.
Amsterdam, Baku, Bilbao, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Dublin, Glasgow, London, Munich, Rome and Saint Petersburg are the 12 cities that will host matches across the continent to celebrate the 60th anniversary since the first European Championships.
The draw in the Irish capital (1100 GMT) will see UEFA’S 55 nations split into 10 groups with the top two in each section making up the first 20 teams to qualify.
However, a maximum of two of the hosts nations can be paired together in each group to give all 12 the chance of experiencing a home tournament with a guarantee of at least two home games in the group stages.
England stand to gain most from home advantage with both semifinals and the final, as well as three group games and a last 16 tie set to be played at Wembley.
The Three Lions have enjoyed arguably their best year since winning the World Cup on home soil in 1966 as Gareth Southgate’s side reached the semifinals of the World Cup in Russia and then beat Spain and Croatia to reach the inaugural finals of the Nations League next summer.
Southgate is well aware of the extra inspiration of playing in a major tournament at home as he was part of the England side that reached the semifinals at Euro ‘96.
“What the players are going to experience is close to what we experienced in 1996 and in ‘66. That’s incredible for everybody,” said the England manager.
The Wembley factor could be key to ending England’s half century without winning a major tournament with Southgate’s exciting young squad having re-energised a nation’s support.
“I think the most pleasing thing of the year has been the connection with the fans and being able to share brilliant experiences with them,” added Southgate after exacting some measure of revenge for defeat to Croatia in the World Cup semifinals in a thrilling Nations League group finale earlier this month.
“I can’t remember the new Wembley like that. We have exciting players that give them excitement.”
England, Switzerland, Portugal and the Netherlands are guaranteed to end up in a five-team group to free them up from qualifiers for the Nations League finals in June.