Thursday 26 / December / 2024
MUSCAT: Oman will kick off their AFC Asian Cup 2023 campaign with a tough match against fancied Saudi Arabia in Doha, Qatar on January 16, 2024. The match will be played at Khalifa International Stadium and will begin at 9.30pm, Oman time.
The continental showpiece, is scheduled to be played from January 12 to February 10, 2024.
Oman and Saudi Arabia have been pooled along with Thailand and Kyrgyz Republic in Group F of the continental showpiece after the draw was held in Qatar on Thursday.
The AFC Asian Cup will feature 24 teams and have been divided into six groups with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout stage along with four best third-placed teams from the six groups.
Following the match against Saudis, Oman will next play against Thailand on January 21 at Al Janoub Stadium before concluding the group stage with a match against Kyrgyz Republic on January 25 at Al Thumama Stadium. For Branko Ivankovic’s Red Warriors, this would be the first time that they would be taking on Saudi Arabia in an Asian Cup. Both teams have met 23 times on the international stage, including multiple occasions in the Gulf Cup and FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Fresh off an impressive showing at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the Green Falcons, who upset World Cup champions Argentina, will be confident of building on that momentum and aim to add to their haul of three Asian titles.
Oman will be targeting qualification from the group stage for a second consecutive edition.
Defending champions Qatar are the top seeded team in Group A with their title defence to begin against two-time runners-up China, Tajikistan and Lebanon. Group B will see 2015 champions Australia, Uzbekistan, Syria and India contesting for the knockout stage spots.
Three-time winners Iran, 1996 runners-up United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and Palestine will vie for the knockout stage spots in Group C while record four-time winners Japan, Indonesia, 2007 champions Iraq and Vietnam were drawn in Group D.
Twice champions South Korea, the top seeded team in Group E, will have a battle with Malaysia, Jordan for the knockout stages.
The Asian Cup Qatar 2023 will be staged across eight stadiums with the tournament opener to be played at Al Bayt Stadium between Qatar and Lebanon. The final will also be played on
February 10, 2024 at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Six of these were venues for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, namely: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Education City Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium as well as the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium and Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.
Draw result:
Group A: Qatar, China, Tajikistan, Lebanon.
Group B: Australia, Uzbekistan, Syria, India.
Group C: Iran, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Palestine.
Group D: Japan, Indonesia, Iraq, Vietnam.
Group E: Korea Republic, Malaysia, Jordan, Bahrain.
Group F: Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Kyrgyz Republic, Oman.
