14-0 win dedicated to grief-stricken coach
MUSCAT: Oman’s national football team has dedicated a 14-0 demolition of minnows Bhutan to coach Pim Verbeek, who is currently mourning the death of his sister.
The AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bhutan was the first competitive match Oman had taken part in since Verbeek took over as national team coach on the 13th of December 2016.
However, the Dutchman was not present at the game, with assistant coach Muhanna Al Adawi overseeing his players from the sidelines. Verbeek is currently in his native Netherlands after his sister passed away on the first day of the team’s training camp, approximately 10 days ago.
Oman Football Association General Secretary Dr. Ahmed Al Farsi was quick to offer his condolences to Verbeek and his family.
“The entire football family of Oman offers our condolences to coach Pim Verbeek over the loss of his sister, and we hope her soul finds its way to heaven,” he told the Times of Oman. “We wish coach Verbeek and his family the best for the future.
Biggest margin
“Verbeek is currently in Holland, mourning the death of his sister, and will return to Oman between the 4th and 6th of April,” he added. Al Farsi also heaped praise on the players in the aftermath of what is the national team’s biggest margin of victory, which eclipsed their 12-0 win over Laos on the 12th of April, 2001.
“Since it is the first official game under Verbeek, and given that this match has been recorded in the history books, it is a very good day for Oman’s national team,” he said.
“This win is dedicated to the coach himself, as well as the President of our national team as well as the Board of Directors and everyone else.
“We hope that the team will continue to do well in the upcoming matches and deliver a positive result at the end,” added Al Farsi.
“We as the Board of Directors will continue to support the national team and help them in any way possible from A to Z, in terms of requirements and anything else that they want.”
Their win against Bhutan saw Oman get off to the right start en route to qualifying for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, which is being held in the neighbouring United Arab Emirates.