Best first 45 minutes my team played: Koeman
The scoreline may not suggest the domination of Oman against India on Tuesday but the hosts' coach, Erwin Koeman of the Netherlands, was more than happy to collect three points with the win a good boost to Red Warriors ahead of defending Gulf Cup title, starting on November 27.
Speaking after the match, Koeman rated Red Warriors' first-half performance as the best under him so far and admitted that 'second half was more difficult'.
The Dutchman said, “I am happy with my team's first-half performance and I think it is the best I've seen yet. We created more chances than India. The early penalty miss was not the best thing to happen but I feel very happy that Muhsen [al Ghassani] scored the goal.”
“In the second-half, India pressed hard but my players did not adapt to the game and allowed them more spaces. We have young players in the squad and they will learn from the mistakes. They did well but at times they need to gauge the situation at this level. May be they will learn from today's game.”
He added, “Overall, I would rate this a much-sweeter victory than the 3-1 we achieved against Bangladesh last week and importantly we had a clean sheet.”
The Dutchman did express his concerns of fitness levels of his players and said that it is just okay for this level but if 'we have to think ahead of playing in the next round than we have to work a lot to improve our fitness levels'.
“We are working with a specialist trainer who has put a programme for the players but we also have to realise the level of the domestic league and other factors when we think of future goals. We are moving gradually and these wins are part of learning journey,” he said.
Oman will now have a short break before meeting Bahrain in its opener of the 24th Gulf Cup in Doha on November 27.