COURAGE OF CONVICTION
Fired-up Oman look to conquer Kyrgyzstan and seal knockout stage berth
Doha, Qatar - Branko Ivankovic is hopeful that an Oman win over Kyrgyzstan in Group F of the Asian Cup on Thursday will be enough to take the West Asian side through to the Round of 16.
Oman scaled new heights in UAE 2019 when they reached the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time and head coach Ivankovic is not ready for the achievement to come to an abrupt end.
One point from their first two matches puts Oman in a precarious position but a win against Kyrgyzstan could well see them advance to the Round of 16 as one of the best four third-place finishers.
“If we emerge victorious, we will secure either the second or third position depending on what happens in the Saudi ArabiaThailand match,” said the Croat. “Our focus remains on winning and the players are committed to giving their best. We are hoping for a successful outcome.
“Each game is unique with its own set of circumstances, and tomorrow’s match is no exception. Our style of play remains consistent and we approach every game with the same deter
If we emerge victorious, we will secure either the second or third position depending on what happens in the Saudi Arabia-thailand match. Our focus remains on winning.
mination, whether against Saudi Arabia, Thailand, or Kyrgyzstan.”
“Considering the continuity in our style of play, the emotional readiness of players like Mataz Saleh, Ibrahim al Mukhaini, and Ahmed al Khamisi, who featured in both previous games, is yet to be determined. If they are emotionally ready, then we will play them. If not, we have to find the best solution. “Qualifying for the next stage is of utmost importance to us. The competition in the Asian Cup is fierce, with all teams being strong and well-pre
pared and we remain focused on achieving that goal.”
The task faced by Kyrgyzstan is an even bigger one as they currently sit bottom of Group F without a single point but head coach Stefan Tarkovic is not willing to give up without a fight.
“Tomorrow’s game holds significant importance for us, providing an opportunity to
showcase our capabilities in what is expected to be a tough match,” said Tarkovic. “We are prepared to give our best on the field.”
“Oman have consistently been a formidable opponent for us, and having faced them twice last year, we have thoroughly analysed their gameplay. They demonstrated strong perfor
mances in both matches. Oman boast numerous skilled players with excellent technique, playing compact football, presenting a considerable challenge for us.
“Despite the setbacks in the first two matches, we maintain a strong belief in our potential. Confidence is high, especially if we can secure a victory against Oman.”
BRANKO IVANKOVIC