Players showed determination to win: Oman coach Silhavy

Muscat: Oman head coach Jaroslav Silhavy of Czech Republic was delighted after his side cruised to a 2-0 win over Malaysia to revive their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Group D hopes on Thursday.

The hosts could have won by a wider margin at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in front of nearly 22,000 supporters but Silhavy was pleased with the performance of the players in his first match as head coach.

“I want to thank the players for the performance they showed and the result, since the start of the match the players showed determination to get the win.

“The preparation time was very short but with the players’ efforts, we managed to get the result. We have another match in a few days (Tuesday) and we will be ready for it,” said Silhavy.

Having suffered a 1-0 defeat to Kyrgyzstan and then being eliminated in the group stage of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, Oman could have been excused if they lacked confidence but it proved to be the opposite as they took the game to Malaysia.

 “We started the match with high pressure, and we forced our style and managed to score the needed goals,” said Silhavy.

The win meant Oman surged to the top of the table on goal difference, with Silhavy’s side level on points with Kyrgyzstan and Malaysia.

Oman now travel to Kuala Lumpur to take on hosts Malaysia on Tuesday.

The result was a blow for Kim Pan Gon’s Malaysia, with his team having headed into the match top of the table after two wins.

“We have to review our game quickly, recover physically and prepare for the home game, and we will try our best to prepare well.

“The home game should be different, of course physically and fitness wise, we are not up to the level we expected but if we want to go to the third round, I think we have to get points in our next game,” said Korean tactician Kim.

Kyrgyzstan remained firmly in the mix for one of the two spots to the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which would also seal them a third consecutive AFC Asian Cup appearance, after their 2-0 win over Chinese Taipei.