In a highly anticipated match at the Asian Cup, three-time winners Saudi Arabia face off against Oman in their Group F opener.
Match Preview:
As the teams take the field at Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar, both sides will be aiming for a strong start in a section that also features Thailand and Kyrgyzstan.
With their eyes set on securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup and claiming their first Asian Cup triumph since 1996, Saudi Arabia will look to build on their recent successes.
On the other hand, Oman, who reached the knockout phase in 2019 and narrowly missed out on qualifying for Qatar 2022, will be determined to upset the Group F favorites.
Having recently been named hosts of the 2030 World Cup, Saudi Arabia has been making significant strides towards their footballing goals.
Under the guidance of head coach Roberto Mancini, the Green Falcons ended 2023 with a perfect record in World Cup qualifying.
Their impressive form continued with a convincing 4-0 victory over Pakistan, where Saleh Al-Shehri, the hero from their last global finals appearance, scored twice.
The team has maintained a solid defensive record, keeping three clean sheets in their friendly matches this month.
With a 2-0 win in their last warm-up game against Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia enters the Group F opener on an unbeaten run of five matches.
In their most recent encounter, Oman emerged victorious over Saudi Arabia, securing a 2-1 win at the Gulf Cup last year.
Although considered outsiders in the tournament, the Reds have shown promise, having reached the knockout phase in 2019 and narrowly missed out on qualifying for Qatar 2022.
Led by experienced coach Branko Ivanovic, who previously guided Iran to Germany 2006, Oman will look to progress beyond the group stage aided by their solid defensive structure and ability to counter-attack.
Team News:
Saudi Arabia will be without Ayman Yahya and Abbas Al-Hassan due to injuries, while goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi has also been omitted from the squad.
Coach Mancini has chosen a Saudi-based selection and has left out several players from the 2022 World Cup squad.
Winger Salem Al-Dawsari, who has 79 caps, is expected to start alongside Ali Al-Bulaihi and Saud Abdulhamid. Firas Al-Buraikan, a key player in the Saudi Pro League, is likely to lead the attack.
Oman, like their opponents, does not have any players currently playing in Europe. Harib Al-Saadi, their most-capped squad member, will provide valuable experience in midfield.
Jameel Al-Yahmadi, based in Qatar, is expected to feature for the Reds. Oman may adopt a 4-3-3 formation to counter Saudi Arabia’s attacking threat, with an emphasis on containment and swift counter-attacks.
Possible Lineups:
Saudi Arabia: (3-5-2)
Al-Najjar;
Tambakti, Al-Bulaihi, Al-Saluli;
Abdulhamid, Al-Malki, Al-Hassan, Al-Dawsari, Kadesh;
Al-Shehri, Al-Buraikan
Oman: (4-5-1)
Al-Rushaidi;
Al-Yahmadi, Al-Khamisi, Al-Braiki, Al-Kaabi;
Al-Aghbari, Fawaz, Al-Saadi, Al-Adawi, Saleh;
Al-Sabhi
Prediction: Saudi Arabia 1-1 Oman
Expect a tightly contested match as Saudi Arabia and Oman battle it out in their Asian Cup opener. Saudi Arabia’s attacking prowess will be put to the test against Oman’s defensive resilience.
While Saudi Arabia aims for a victory, Oman’s strategy of containment and counter-attacks could lead to a hard-fought draw.
