(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) As Oman goes into the 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Espinho Portugal as the reigning Asian champion the players have the confidence and ability to spring a surprise or two assures national coach Talib Hilal.
Oman is competing at the worlds for only the second time - it last participated in the 2011 edition in Ravenna Italy. It missed out on a berth in the 2013 World Cup in Tahiti meaning the coach and his charges will be desperate to learn from past failures when they arrive in Espinho on July 4. The worlds will be held from July 9-19.
Hani al Dhabit Oman captain
Oman had failed to win a single match back in 2011 on its World Cup debut losing to Argentina El Salvador and Portugal. However Talib believes that this time round it is a much improved side having won the Asian title in Doha Qatar in March.
Speaking exclusively to Muscat Daily ahead of the team's departure to Portugal on Friday Talib said 'We are going there as the Asian champions and that will earn us respect. Obviously there will be much more expectation on us in what is a tough group (Pool B) featuring top European sides like Switzerland Italy and Costa Rica.
'But we are ready for the competition and I am confident we can spring a surprise or two. I am satisfied with our preparations. The boys are raring to go to Portugal.'
Pointing out that confidence will be the key to success in Portugal Talib said 'We didn't know what obstacles we would face when we went to Ravenna for the 2011 World Cup. But that is not the case this time. We have got a lot more experience now which should help us turn things around. There is no doubt that winning the continental title has boosted our confidence.'
Stressing that Oman is heading to Portugal not just to make up the numbers Talib said 'We are not pushovers anymore. We are not going just to participate we are going to compete with the best and hopefully win a few matches.'
Lack of friendlies not a big concern
The Oman coach said it would have been ideal if his players had got the opportunity to play a few international friendlies but he added that it's not an overriding factor.
'Of course it would have been better if we would have played a few strong friendlies ahead of the World Cup' Talib said. 'We tried to arrange a few but most of the European teams had been busy with the European Games in Baku Azerbaijan which concluded on June 28. European teams would have provided us the best test.'
Talib who has been at the helm since the inception of the national beach soccer team in 2008 said his players have made up for the lack of friendlies by putting in a lot of hard work at practice and staying focused during training sessions.
'We will conclude our six-week training camp on Thursday and it has been quite a rigorous one. The boys have displayed a lot of positivity and I am happy with their commitment' said Talib. 'Our preparations helped us stay in good physical shape and gave me time to work on our game plan."
However prior to its opener against the Swiss on July 9 Oman will play two friendlies against Mexico (July 5) and Argentina (July 6).
The coach who had also led Oman to the 2008 Asian Beach Games title in Bali Indonesia said the biggest strength of the current team is the fact that it plays as a closely-knit unit.
'To defeat two-time champion Japan in the final of the 2015 AFC Beach Soccer Championship and then to follow it up with the GCC Beach Games title win in April shows that the boys have improved' he said.
'The secret of our success is that we are one unit. Most of these players have been with me since 2008. We are like a family on and off the field.'
Goal: To reach quarterfinals
Talib said the success in Doha has laid the foundation for the team to chase bigger feats.
'I feel we could do something [good] in Espinho. Our aim is to reach the quarterfinal round. The top two teams from each group will advance' he said.
'Switzerland is one of the top teams in the world under much-acclaimed coach Angelo Schirinzi. It is ranked third in the world. Italy ranked 11th has the best beach soccer league in the world. I don't know much about Costa Rica which finished runner-up in the CONCACAF. It has well-built players who play a very physical game.'
Oman is currently ranked 16th out of 96 teams in the world. Talib said that he is firm on improving the team's performance and ranking at the country's second World Cup outing.
Talib said 'I think we all have the same chance of reaching the quarterfinals though the Swiss are the favourites. Even so you can't predict what's going to happen on the pitch.
'If we can reach the second phase it would be a fantastic achievement. One has to remember that Oman started playing beach soccer in 2008.'
Core group led by Hani
Oman will rely heavily on a core of experienced players who had played in Ravenna in 2011 such as captain Hani al Dhabit and the talented Yahya al Araimi the scorer of seven goals at the Asian meet.
The bunch also includes Ghaith al Alawi Jalal al Sinani Ishaq al Mas and goalkeeper Haitham Showan the hero of the final against Japan after saving the last spot-kick in the shootout.
Only Yaqoob al Alawi who was part of the team in Doha has been dropped. The other members of the team are Mundhir al Araimi Khalid al Rajhi Khalid al Araimi Abdullah al Sooti Abdullah al Balushi and reserve keeper Mohammed al Busaidi.
For Talib 'Hani is a natural leader' and his 'most trusted man'. The coach said 'He is my right-hand man he serves as a bridge between me and the other players. Despite his achievements on the field he is a humble person.
'Hani has the experience and the skills needed to lead our frontline. He brings a lot to the team and we are grateful for his services. We are hoping he will do a great job at the World Cup.'
Hani himself played down his own presence in the side as a crucial factor saying 'We play as a team we do not have individual stars. We have been together for quite some time now and we hope to do well in Espinho.'
Having been part of the national team for the past four years Hani feels the experience over the years and the failure in Ravenna will spur the boys to do well this time. 'We have learned from our mistakes we hope to make it to the second round this time' he said.
Oman's fixtures:
July 9: vs Switzerland 8.30pm* July 11: vs Italy 4pm* July 13: vs Costa Rica 4pm* (*Oman time).
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.