Le Guen announces Oman probables for New Zealand, Turkmenistan ties

Le Guen revealed a list of 24 probables for the training camp ahead of Oman’s friendly match against New Zealand and it includes recently called up Al Khabourah player Said Obaid

MUSCAT: Coach Paul Le Guen on Sunday announced the list of 24 probables who will be attending a training camp ahead of Oman’s friendly match against visiting New Zealand squad on November 12.

The Sultanate squad will be playing the friendly match as part of their preparations for their next World Cup/Asian Cup away qualifying match against Turkmenistan on November 17.

Terming the coming period as an important phase of Oman’s qualification campaign, Le Guen said: “Turkmenistan match is going to be a very important match for us.”

Addressing the media at Oman Football Association (OFA) Headquarters in the presence of association chief Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi, Le Guen said: “We will be playing two matches in less than two weeks.

“The Turkmenistan match is very important for us and we will start preparing for that with a training camp from tomorrow.”

“We have called up three players for the current camp — Riyadh Subait and Yassin Al Shiyadi, both of whom were earlier with the Olympic (under-23) team, and Azan Abbas,” he said.

Le Guen’s probables list includes Al Khabourah’s Said Obaid, whom the Frenchman had called up after his impressive performances in the domestic league.

Asked whether he will be testing his new find to tackle the problems Oman are facing in the forward line and during the set pieces, Le Guen said: “If the opportunity comes, we don’t mind using him in both the matches.”

Le Guen’s list includes three goalkeepers — captain Ali Al Habsi, Fayeez Al Rusheidi and Riyadh Subait. The other players attending the November 2 to 8 camp are Ahmed Mubarak ‘Kanu’, Eid Al Farsi, Mohammed Musallami, Raed Ibrahim Al Haikal, Ali Al Jabri, Abdulaziz Al Maqbali, Yassin Al Shiyadi, Saad Suhail Al Mukhaini, Ali Salim bait Nahar, Mohammed Al Siyabi, Qasim Said, Abdulsalam Amor, Jader Al Awaisi, Mohsin Al Khaldi, Ali Al Busaidi, Mohammed Sheiba, Azan Al Balushi, Saud Khamis Al Farsi, Mohammed Al Ghassani and Imad Ali Al Hosni. in turn are upset with the player for not attending the team training and kept him under suspension, he said: “The player must be given an opportunity represent national team. He is the best in the Sultanate at right-back position. Let’s not punish ourselves or the player who has a problem with his club.”

“But we have to look at the subject from two angles. I will talk with the player to find out all the details.”

Meanwhile, OFA chief Sayyid Khalid said: “The OFA has received a letter from Al Arouba to prevent the player from playing.”

“We have discussed this issue with the our disciplinary committee and we found out that legally there is no provision to prevent the player from playing for the national team,” he added.

“However, we will be getting in touch with the club’s management and find out the reason and the ways to solve the issue,” he added.