Oman- 'Disappointing preparations cost us Continental Gold'

Date

8/29/2016 1:29:38 AM

(MENAFN- Muscat Daily)

Despite below-par preparations, Oman managed to claim a runner-up finish at the highly-competitive Continental Beach Soccer Tournament in Ordos, China recently.

With just four days of camp ahead of the event, the Asian champion, coached by Talib Hilal, went down 3-6 to Iran in a hard-fought final.

Speaking to Muscat Daily on the team's return, Talib Hilal expressed his 'disappointment over the lack of preparations', but was satisfied with a runner-up finish among a strong field featuring the top eight teams from Asia.

'As far as the result is concerned, I am satisfied with the runner-up finish. But we could have got the title had we had proper build-up for the event. I am disappointed with our build-up,' said Talib.

The Oman coach, who has been with the national team for seven years, lamented the lack of planning for the team, which had done the country proud by qualifying for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Championship last year in Portugal as the Asian champion.

Talib Hilal, Oman coach

He said, 'Since our participation last year at the worlds in Espinho, Portugal in July last year, there has hardly been a domestic or an overseas camp. After a long gap, the team regrouped in March earlier this year to take part in an international tournament in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

'We just had a couple of days to work ahead of the Egypt trip, and we managed to finish fourth. After that, the players came together just four days ahead of our trip to China. It is not enough when we are competing in a tournament that comprises strong teams, like Japan and Iran.'

Talib said, 'I hope the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) and the Oman Football Association (OFA) soon draw up a plan for the forthcoming Asian Beach Games in Danang, Vietnam.'

The Games will be held from September 24-October 3. Oman had won the inaugural Asian Beach Games gold in 2008 in Bali, Indonesia and took silver in the second edition in Muscat.

However, it failed to finish on the podium in the third edition in Haiyang, China and the fourth event in Phuket, Thailand.

'I am confident that if we have good preparations for Vietnam, we will be able to finish among the top three teams. My target is to regain the gold,' said Talib.

Hani al Dhabit (C), Oman captain

'Time is running out for preparations, but my players are like true soldiers and always give their best for the sultanate.'

In the final against Iran in Ordos, Oman failed to get off to a good start, but fought back to reduce the margin. Iran's Amir Akhbari was the star in the final, ending up as the tournament's top-scorer and the most valuable player. Another former Asian champion, Japan, finished third with an 8-4 win against Vietnam.

Oman's results: Quarterfinal: beat Lebanon 2-1; Semifinal: beat Vietnam 7-3

Final standings: 1 Iran, 2 Oman, 3 Japan, 4 Vietnam, 5 Thailand, 6 China, 7 Bahrain, 8 Lebanon.

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