Tribune News Network
Kuwait City
Oman head coach Rasheed Jaber believes their Khaleeji Zain 26 – Arabian Gulf Cup 2024 semi-final showdown with Saudi Arabia will be decided by the smallest of details at the Jaber Al Mubarak International Stadium in Kuwait on Tuesday (kick-off 5.30pm).
The 2023 finalists have impressed by winning Group A, securing a win over Qatar and draws with Kuwait and UAE, and are focussed on facing a star-studded Saudi side that has improved with every match since their opening defeat to Bahrain.
“The match will be a very tough semi-final,” said Rasheed at the eve-of-match press conference. “We respect Saudi Arabia. They have distinguished players and a big history. But we need effort from our players who must concentrate for the full 90 minutes because this match will be decided on the small details and mental strength of the players.”
Saudi Arabia fans have travelled to Kuwait in huge numbers, packing out the 57,000-seater Jaber Al International Stadium for their final Group B decider against Iraq at the weekend.
But this match will be played at the smaller Jaber Al Mubarak stadium that seats 15,000 fans, with Jaber saying his side is unfazed by possibly being outnumbered in the stands.
“Our team is well-organised and have handled all of the matches well,” he said. “We need to create a playing style for our strengths and to stop Saudi playing. We are used to their big spectator numbers, but we are also used to going to stadiums in front of 50,000 or 100,000 home spectators so it won’t phase us.”
Several injuries are hampering the Omani preparations, but, again, the coach is not making excuses and believes his side can go all the way in Kuwait and win their third Gulf crown this week. The last coming in 2018.
“Irrespective of our line-up, I trust all of my players. Our target is to qualify for the final though after all the work and effort that we have done in the past days. We are ready for the potential to play 90 minutes, 120 mins or even the penalties. Mental concentration will be the main factor for the players.”
Al Sahafi flies in to
boost Saudi Arabia
Winger Marwan Al Sahafi has arrived in Kuwait to bolster Saudi Arabia ahead of their with Oman.
Al Sahafi has arrived from his Belgian club Beerschot who have started their winter break, but his head coach, Herve Renard, has not revealed whether the 20-year-old will start.
“I don’t know what will be my next 11,” Renard told media at the eve-of-match press conference. “I want to find the best 11 to start, but also to finish because we can make five substitutions.”
After losing their opening match to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia edged past Yemen and then returned to form with their impressive 3-1 win over Iraq to qualify for the last four, and keep their hopes of a fourth Gulf title alive.
Playmaker Salem Al-Dawsari played a leading role in that win, and the coach paid tribute to his Al-Hilal skipper who was a doubt coming into the tournament.
“Salem broke his nose and wasn’t supposed to play here until the semi-final, if we qualified,” said Renard. “But he decided to come in against Bahrain and this was a fantastic message to the youth players because when this kind of player shows this level of determination, all the squad will follow. We know we have a great captain and all of us will be behind him.”
The Green Falcons have conceded more goals than anyone – six – at this tournament, but are also lead goal scorers with eight, prompting many questions about tactics.
“Yes, we have conceded six, but have scored eight which is more important,” he said.
“We always want a good full game, but sometimes opponents force you to be in a difficult situation. We need to keep improving if we want to achieve our goal of winning this tournament.”
