I don't like losing, says hero Omani goalkeeper Faiz Al Rushaidi

Muscat: It has been a remarkable journey for Oman’s football hero, Faiz Al Rushaidi – from sitting on the reserve bench for nine years to becoming Oman’s hero in the Gulf Cup.
Rushaidi, who admits he hates running, opted instead for a career between the sticks and joined the Al-Suwaiq Club. “You’d be surprised to know that I don’t like running, but this didn’t hold me back, but made me stronger. It made me work harder on myself,” he told the Times of Oman on Sunday.
The 29-year-old goalkeeper saved an 89th minute penalty against the UAE’s Omar Abdul Rahman. He again saved UAE star player Omar Abdul Rahman’s fifth penalty kick after Mohsin Jawhar had put Oman on the verge of the title, after converting his team’s fifth spot kick.
Back in Oman, his performance has caught the attention of everyone in the country. “When I got the chance to play for the national team, I took it as an opportunity to prove myself,” he remarked.
Rushaidi - when not appearing for the national team - enjoys settling down with his beloved Playstation games online.
“Playstation is my hobby, apart from football, of course,” he noted.
The star goalkeeper was, however, all praise for Oman’s football star, Ali Al Habsi. “Whatever I am today is because of Captain Ali Al Habsi, whom I admire and appreciate a lot. I want to be like Ali Al Habsi in everything,” he stressed.
Speaking about the final match, he pointed out, “I guessed the place where Abdul Rahman chose to shoot the penalty, but at the same time prayers also helped me.
“Day to day it’s hard as hell,” he said, elaborating on what he does to keep himself healthy and fit enough to keep playing for Oman. “I’m a person who doesn’t like to lose, even in practices. And I do hard work, especially during the national team practice (sessions). Sometimes I work in two shifts, so I train twice a day. You see me shouting at my teammates, and I even get sad during practice, as well as in the matches, if we don’t do well.”