Gulf Cup heroes: Thanks, boss, from all of Oman

Muscat: Oman's triumphant football team manager brought his troops back to a welcome fit for heroes when they landed in Muscat, after winning the Arab Gulf Cup in Kuwait.

Waiting to welcome them was Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal bin Saud Al Busaidi, the Minister of Diwan of Royal Court, who personally received every one of the players and managers of the victorious Oman football team who returned home with the trophy.

Leading Oman's team out from the airport was manager Pim Verbeek, whose tactics and man management saw Oman display a defensive resilience and attacking flair that proved instrumental in them winning the cup, captain Ahmed Mubarak, whose energetic displays and inspiration saw him win Player of the Tournament at the Gulf Cup, and goalkeeping hero Faiz Al Rashidi, who didn't save Oman once, but twice in the final against the UAE.

Al Rashidi saved an 89th minute penalty from Emirati midfielder Omar Abdulrahman, before thwarting him again in the ensuing penalty shootout as Oman triumphed 5-4 over their neighbours.

Oman manager Verbeek brought with him plenty of expertise and nous, having previously guided Australia to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, in addition to being assistant manager for South Korea's national football team, playing a vital role in helping them get to the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

Verbeek also has an eye on youth development: he was appointed national youth technical director for Morocco from 2010 to 2014, and funnily enough, was also assistant coach to the UAE's national football team in 2005.

Photo Courtesy: Thani Al Siyabi