25th Gulf Cup: Oman to face Saudi Arabia in final group stage match

Muscat: Oman’s national football team will meet Saudi Arabia in its third and final match in the group stage of the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup today, Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 8pm MCT. The match will be held at Al-Mina International Stadium.

At the same time, the Iraqi national team (host of the tournament) and the Yemeni national team will meet at Basra International Stadium. The two matches will determine which two teams will qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament from the group. At present the Iraqi team leads with 4 points and Oman in second place with the same number of points but with a difference in goals. The Saudi Arabian team is in third place with 3 points.

Oman’s coach Branko Ivankovic said in the press conference: “The match is important for both teams. Our team’s goal is to win; stressing the readiness of the team despite injuries and absences.”

 He also added: “We will not change our style, we faced difficult circumstances in the meeting with Yemen, we dominated in the previous match and created 4 realized chances, we will focus on our style with respect to Saudi Arabian team.

  For his part, our national team goalkeeper Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini said: “In the Yemen match, we were not good during the first quarter of the much where we conceded two goals, but we were able to return. The important thing is to win and get the three points. The atmosphere in Basra is wonderful and audience wonderful.”