OMAN TEAM ARRIVES IN DOHA FOR TITLE DEFENCE
Defending champion Oman arrived in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday to take part at the 24th edition of the Gulf Cup, which will take place in Qatar from November 26 to December 8.
Erwin Koeman’s Red Warriors left Muscat International Airport on Saturday morning with Sheikh Salim al Wahaibi, the Oman Football Association (OFA) chairman, leading the delegation, along with other OFA board members.
Oman won the previous edition on January 5, 2018 in Kuwait when it edged past the UAE in a penalty shootout. It was the second title for Oman, having won the first title in 2009.
Erwin Koeman's side has displayed a mixed form in recent times and would be looking to get off to a winning start when it begins its campaign against Bahrain in a Group B game on November 27.
It then plays Kuwait on November 30 before meeting Saudi Arabia on December 2. The semifinals will be held on December 5 while the final will he held on December 8.
All of Oman’s group matches will be held at the 12,000-capacity Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, formerly known as Duhail Stadium.
Besides Oman and Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are the other teams in the pool.
Qatar, Iraq, UAE and Yemen are in Group A.
Qatar will play the opening match of the tournament at the 40,000-capacity Khalifa International Stadium on November 26 when it takes on Iraq.
Oman squad: Faiz al Rusheidi, Ahmed al Rawahi, Ibrahim al Mukhaini, Ali al Busaidi, Abdulsalam al Mukhaini, Mohammed al Musallami, Ahmed Khalifa al Kaabi, Abdulaziz al Ghailani, Saad Suhail al Mukhaini, Fahmi Said, Mohammed Faraj al Rawahi, Imran al Heidi, Al Monther al Alawi, Harib al Saadi, Zaher al Aghbari, Ahmad Mubarak 'Kanu', Arshad al Alawi, Mohammed Mubarak al Ghafri, Mohsin Jawhar al Khaldi, Yaseen al Sheyadi, Said al Ruzaiqi, Abdulaziz al Miqbali and Muhsen al Ghassani.