Monday 23 / December / 2024
Muscat: A confident Oman will be eyeing a berth in the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup when they square off against North Korea in a quarterfinal match of the ongoing AFC U-16 Championship in the Indian city of Goa on Monday.
Two-time champions Oman began their campaign with a 3-0 scoreline over Malaysia before going on to play out successive draws against Korea Republic and Iraq.
But the Sultanate had been on the verge of elimination until forward Arshad Al Alawi popped up at the death to secure a 1-1 draw with the Iraqis and with it top spot on Group C.
According to news posted on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) website, Oman coach Yacoub Al Sabahi said his wards are confident and ready for the match.
“(North) Korea are a good team but we will be ready for this game because we came here wanting to achieve something,” said coach Yaqoub Al Sabahi.
“Our boys are confident and have the mentality that they need to win this game. Just like the last match, we need to prepare them for the moment and I think they will be ready.
“Al Alawi is a good player but he’s not scoring the goals by himself, it’s about teamwork and we have 11 good players.”
Oman won the tournament back in 1996 and again in 2000, but have fallen upon leaner times in recent years.
“We need to represent our country well because it has been a long time since we have reached this stage,” added Al Sabahi.
“From the beginning we knew we had to be ready for all teams. The chance is there to qualify for the World Cup.”
‘We win, we qualify’
Meanwhile, North Korea coach Yun Jong-Su insists the title holders are fully prepared for their clash with Oman.
The East Asians have won two of the last three continental tournaments at U-16 level but enjoyed mixed fortunes in qualifying for the last eight as Group D runners-up after successive wins over Yemen and Thailand were followed by a 3-1 reversal to Uzbekistan.
And standing in the way of the reigning champions is an Oman team that topped Group C ahead of Iraq and 2014 runners-up Korea Republic on route to qualifying for their first quarterfinal since 2004.
“Oman showed that they are a strong team because they won their group,” said Yun, who will welcome back Kim Hwi-Hwang from suspension but has injury concerns over midfielder Kim Chung-Jin.
“But I don’t think there will be any problems physically, tactically or mentally with our players. I don’t think there is any pressure and we are ready for this game.”
The winner of Monday’s hotly anticipated encounter will also secure their passage to the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India as one of the tournament’s top four teams.
“If we win we qualify for the World Cup next year and this is a dream for all the young players,” added Yun.
“One of our main targets from the start of the tournament was to make it to the World Cup so we will be doing our best to ensure that happens.”
