Kurtz expects positive show from Oman at Junior Asia Cup
Oliver Kurtz described November 11 to 22 tournament as a very ‘tough competition’ but said that his wards had prepared well
MUSCAT: Encouraged by the commitment shown by the probables at the ongoing domestic training camp, and thanks to the experience gained from the recent European tour, coach Oliver Kurtz is expecting positive performance from ‘improving’ Oman at the Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament to be organised in Malaysia later this month.
Kurtz, a former German star, described the November 11 to 22 tournament as a very ‘tough competition’ but said that his wards had prepared well for the challenges at the continental championship. “I was very happy with our tour of Europe where we trained both in Germany and the Netherlands. We have also played around nine matches,” Kurtz said.
“It has been a good learning experience for the entire team. And I have no hesitation in saying the level of boys game as well as their confidence has gone up by a few notches. These juniors are definitely ever improving,” he added.
Speaking about the current camp, being organised at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, the coach said: “The boys are working really hard. They are showing good commitment and that is very encouraging for the team as a whole.”
Kurtz, a gold medallist at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, has called up 25 probables for the camp but the German, however, has a minor concern regarding the availability of five key players.
“We are missing five players due to different reasons — be it injuries or their commitments with the studies or employees,” he said adding: “But we have other players who can step in and do the job for us.”
The five players the Sultanate squad likely to miss are Ahli Sidab’s Asad Al Qasmi, Al Nasr trio of Anwar Saad Jumaan, Mohammed Ameen and Marwan Ameen as well as Bausher custodian Mahmood Al Battashi.