muscat — The Oman football team will head to the south of the Sultanate for for a friendly against Egypt in Salalah on August 15.
Oman played three World Cup qualifying matches in 10 days in early June and will have two months off from national team duty prior to their match in Salalah.
They sit in a three-way tie for second place in their World Cup qualifying group after Ali al Habsi and Co. earned two draws and a loss in those first three matches, which included two away fixtures.
It’s a competitive position for the team to be in, meaning Oman fans have a lot to be excited about entering the latter half of 2012.
On August 15, the Red Warriors will be playing against an Egypt squad coming out of Africa that has begun its own battle for a Brazil 2014 spot. After two matches, Egypt currently leads Group ‘G’ in early
African qualifying posting victories against Mozambique and Guinea.
Following the Egypt match, Oman is likely to play another friendly in
September and then return to the World Cup qualifying with key home fixtures against Jordan on October 16 and Japan on November 14.
well-earned rest
Currently many of the Oman players, including star goalkeeper Ali al Habsi are enjoying a well-earned rest period during the current break between national team duty and the club
season.
“Today was my last game of this long season. Will be enjoying couple of weeks with my family and friends,” Al Habsi wrote on Twitter, following Oman’s June 12, 1-1 draw against Iraq. Al Habsi enjoyed possibly his most impressive season to date in 2011-12.
Before Oman’s June 12 World Cup qualifying match against Iraq in Doha, Al Habsi was honoured by Al Rayyan for his “meritorious service to football.”
AFC U-22 qualifiers
Another big event for Oman football kicks off on Saturday, as the Sultanate hosts the AFC Under-22 Championship Qualifiers. The qualifying matches will take place from June 23 to July 3 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex and the ROP Stadium.
Phillippe Burle, head coach of Oman
Olympic team, will lead the team in matches against the UAE (June 23), Lebanon (June 25), Turkmenistan (June 28), Iraq (June 30) and India July 3.
All five Oman matches will be played at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
