Sunday 22 / December / 2024
Muscat: With Oman national football team gearing up to take on Guam in a key World Cup/Asian Cup qualifier on March 24, Oman Football Association (OFA) chief Sayyid Khalid bin Hamad Al Busaidi on Wednesday called on the Sultanate soccer fan to get behind the team and to 'do their bit to help the team's chances'.
The crucial match between Oman and Guam will be played at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
A statement issued by the OFA on Wednesday said: "After a disappointing result in Turkmenistan (and the subsequent removal of then French coach Paul Le Guen), the Oman team face a daunting task to make the next stage of qualification. The team need to beat Guam with a large number of goals and then head to Iran to take on the group toppers Iran.
"The OFA chairman knows that the right type of result will only be possible if the fans get behind the team, now managed by Juan Ramon Lopez Caro."
"To give ourselves the best chance for qualifying, we need to get a great result against Guam. I know it is a tough assignment but we must believe it is possible. However, without the stadium full of Reds fans, it will not be possible," the statement quoted Sayyid Khalid as saying.
"We need the Guam team to feel that the whole country is behind Oman and we know that with ONE PULSE of our Omani population behind the team, we can create an atmosphere where we might achieve the result we want. Without a full stadium, I think it will prove too difficult, but with the stadium full - perhaps we can achieve the impossible."
The OFA statement also added: "Tickets for the Oman vs Guam are on sale, priced at just OMR 2 and 5. The tickets are available at Oman Oil outlets and SPAR Supermarkets, and online at Roumaan. Everyone who attends the game will also receive a free McDonald's meal."
