Islamic Games: Oman eye full points against Turkey
The Sultanate’s U-23 squad, who battled to a 2-2 draw in their opening match of Group B, are hoping to perform well against Turkey
MUSCAT: After opening their campaign with a fighting 2-2 draw against Palestine, Oman will be aiming to collect all three points when they take on Turkey in the football competition of the Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku, Azerbaijan on Thursday.
According to information received here, the Group B match is scheduled to kick off at 10.30 am Oman time.
On the eve of the match, Hamad Al Azzani-coached Oman under-23 team underwent an intense training session on Wednesday.
After Monday’s opening match, Oman decided to exempt the play- ers who played against Palestine from training on Tuesday while the full squad attended Wednesday’s training. Hamad Al Azzani’s coaching staff, meanwhile, has decided to make a few changes to the team from the one that played against Palestine.
Ahmed Al Matroshi is expected to take the place of Gazafi Al Mahrooqi and Juma Al Maamari may replace Yousuf Al Mukhaini.
The lineup is likely to include goalkeeper Bilal Al Balushi, Ab- dulaziz Al Ghailani, Salah Al Yahyaei, Ibrahim Al Sawafi, Mohsin Al Ghassani, Juma Al Maamari, Marwan Taeib, Juma Al Habsi, Almas Al Saadi and Hassan Al Saadi.
Coach Hamad Al Azzani said: “We would build on from our performance against Palestine. Turkey would be a tough team as they would work hard to win to compensate for their loss in the opening match.”
The Islamic Solidarity Games will be officially inaugurated on Friday.
Syria match postponed
Meanwhile, the Oman Football Association informed that the friendly match between Oman senior national team and their Syrian counterparts, scheduled to be played in Muscat, has been postponed following a request from the Syrian football federation.
The match originally scheduled for May 30 will now be played on June 2.