(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Oman hockey coach Oliver Kurtz has called upon his players not to be afraid of Asian powerhouses India and Pakistan when his team faces them in the Asian Games in Incheon South Korea to be played from September 19-October 4.
Speaking to Muscat Daily after Oman finished runner-up in the FIH Hockey World League (HWL) Round 1 in Muscat on Sunday the German coach said 'It is important for our boys not to be afraid of big names. I have a young team; the players tend to get nervous when they play against big countries like India and Pakistan.'
(From Left to Right) Oliver Kurtz and Younis al Nofli
Despite finishing second to Azerbaijan in the HWL Kurtz said 'I am satisfied with Oman's overall performance though I would have liked to win the event.'
Oman defeated Iran 1-0 in its final league match on Sunday but was pushed to second place by Azerbaijan on goal average with all three teams finishing on equal points. Kurtz said his boys are motivated for the Asian Games where Oman is clubbed in a group that comprises former champions India and Pakistan along with China and Sri Lanka.
The Oman team prepared for the Asian Games by undergoing a camp in Europe and then competing in the HWL. But with a young team at his disposal Kurtz said 'The boys are young they lack experience. But they have shown talent and the desire to work hard.'
Only five members from the 2010 Asian Games team - Mohammed Hubais Basim Khatar Younis al Nofli Mahmoud al Hasani and Murshid Rabee'a - are in the current set-up. In Incheon the Oman coach realistically expects the team to fight for the sixth place. 'The boys have to play according to a plan. We have to work on a winning mentality and the players should dispel from their mind thoughts that their opponents are stronger than them' said Kurtz.
Oman had finished seventh under Indian coach K K Poonacha at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou China from a pool of ten teams winning the seventh-place playoff against Bangladesh in a 6-5 thriller.
An Oman player in action against Iran during the HWL in Muscat on Sunday
Kurtz said 'We hope to win against China and Sri Lanka to finish third in the group so that we can fight for the fifth or sixth place playoff spot.' Kurtz who took charge in February 2013 said the team's penalty-corner conversions are improving but hoped it gets better in Incheon with his three drag-flickers - Hubais Khatar and Ahmed al Nofli - working on their game. The coach added 'My players have been working hard since July and have improved a lot. They are much fitter and faster on the pitch. As we have a young team there are bound to be mistakes.'
Coach banks on skipper Younis
The player-turned-coach who was a member of the 1992 Olympic gold medal-winning German side said the Omani squad's biggest strength is 'unity' among the players and 'team spirit' under new captain Younis.
'I picked Younis on merit and he is the best example for his teammates - be it punctuality hard work or his leadership qualities' said Kurtz. Younis replaced Aiman al Katheri who has been dropped from the team after the Europe trip. While the coach refused to give any reason for Katheri's dismissal sources suggest he was axed on 'disciplinary grounds'. Oman can make it to HWL
Oman can make it to HWL Round 2
Despite finishing second in the HWL Round 1 Oman's chances of advancing to Round 2 are not yet ruled out as the FIH hockey's world body will decide on which of the second-best finishers from the nine Round 1 tournaments will be picked once they conclude on December 13.
The winning teams from Round 1 events are guaranteed a place in Round 2 and they will be joined by a certain number of highest-placed finishers. Round 2 will see the introduction of the teams ranked 12th to 19th in the world while the top 11 sides will feature in Round 3 in which tickets for the 2016 Olympics as well as qualification for the final round of the HWL will be up for grabs.
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