Coach Zaman positive as Oman face Chinese Taipei

Sports Wednesday 07/March/2018 22:29 PM
By: Times News Service
Coach Zaman positive as Oman face Chinese Taipei

Muscat: Stay focussed. That’s the brief and simple advice of coach Tahir Zaman as Oman are all set to launch their campaign in the 2018 Asian Games Hockey Qualifier at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Thursday evening.
The Sultanate squad are scheduled to play Chinese Taipei in their opening Pool B match at 8.00 pm after Sri Lanka-Kazakhstan game kicks off the eight-team tournament at 6.00 pm.
Oman have undergone a comprehensive training progamme under their Pakistani coach Tahir Zaman in the run up to the tournament with the hope of clinching one of the five qualifying place in the Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Indonesia later this year.
While expressing confidence his wards will achieve their Asian Games goal, the former Pakistani stalwart said: “It’s important to stay focussed... in all matches starting with tomorrow’s first match against Chinese Taipei. Focus is vital to achieve the desired goals.”
“Our preparations have been good for the tournament. We have been working hard for the last two months and now is the time for action. And it’s time for our boys to deliver the goods and achieve our target of reaching Asian Games,” he said.
Speaking about Oman’s first match, he said: “Chinese Taipei are a strong team and they are also here to achieve qualification. But having said that I should add our players have improved a lot and are ready for the challenge.”
“We have a good combination of experienced and young players. They are capable of playing high level of hockey and I am confident they will achieve the goals.”
While the tournament stars with Pool B matches on Thursday, the Pool A action begins on Friday.
Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Thailand and Afghanistan are in Pool A.
Oman will play their remaining group matches against Sri Lanka on March 10 and against Kazakhstan on March 12.
After the group stage matches, which will be played till March 13, the two top teams from each pool will qualify for the semifinals to be played on March 15.
Following the classification matches on March 16, the third-place playoff and the final will be played on March 17.
The five qualifying teams as well as hosts Indonesia will join India, Malaysia, Pakistan, South Korea, Japan and China in the hockey competition of the 2018 Asian Games scheduled to be held from August 18 to September 2.

Oman team: Muhanna Al Hasani, Rashad Al Fazari, Qasim Al Shibli, Mahmood Al Hasni (capt), Asaad Mubarak Al Qasmi, Marwan Al Raisi, Imad Al Hasani, Khalid Al Shaaibi, Ahmed Al Noufali, Sami Al Laun, Faisal Ambork Alloun, Salah Al Saadi, Ahmed Al Balushi, Mohammed Al Lawati, Fahad Al Noufali (GK), Wail Hassan Sanjor, Mahmood Bait Shamaiaa and Said Al Hasni. Tahir Zaman (coach), Khalid Al Raisi (assistant coach), Shakir Munir (goalkeers coach) and Raed Marjan (team manager).

Fixtures
Mar 8: Sri Lanka vs Kazakhstan (Pool B); Oman vs Chinese Taipei (Pool B)
Mar 9: Hong Kong vs Afghanistan (Pool A); Bangladesh vs Thailand (Pool A)
Mar 10: Chinese Taipei vs Kazakhstan (Pool B); Sri Lanka vs Oman (Pool B)
Mar 11: Hong Kong vs Bangladesh (Pool A); Thailand vs Afghanistan (Pool A)
Mar 12: Chinese Taipei vs Sri Lanka (Pool B); Oman vs Kazakhstan (Pool B)
Mar 13: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan (Pool A); Thailand vs Hong Kong (Pool A)
Mar 15: 3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool B (5th - 8th Place); 3rd Pool B v 4th Pool A (5th - 8th Place)
Mar 15 1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool B (SF 1), 1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool A (SF 2)
Mar 16: 7th/8th place match
Mar 16: 5th/6th place match
Mar 17: 3rd place playoff
Mar 17: Final