(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) Former Oman coach Claude Le Roy has said that Oman was unlucky to get knocked out of the 21st Gulf Cup in the group stages, but maintained that the sultanate players 'weren't efficient in front of goal' during its campaign in Bahrain. The Frenchman, who now coaches DR Congo, is in Muscat with his team for a two-week training camp.Le Roy, who had led Oman to its maiden Gulf Cup victory in 2009 in Muscat, said that he was impressed with the quality of football displayed by Oman at the ongoing tournament. In exclusive remarks to Muscat Daily, Le Roy said, ''I saw all the three group matches of Oman. The quality of football was good. But they missed too many chances in all the games, they weren't efficient in front of goal. Oman was unlucky to go out in this fashion.''After playing out a goalless draw against Bahrain and then losing 1-2 to Qatar, coach Paul Le Guen's boys succumbed to a 0-2 loss against UAE on Friday to finish at the bottom of Group A. Le Roy, however, thinks Oman's performance wasn't all that bad. ''If you ask me, Oman was far better than some other teams in the tournament,'' he said. ''I saw the matches played by Iraq and Saudi Arabia. They lacked quality.''Le Roy, who feels that the Oman coach's job is a 'high-pressure' one, said the next few weeks will be difficult for Le Guen and his players. Recounting his stint with the Red Warriors from 2008-2011, Le Roy said, ''I was lucky. Oman played two Gulf Cups under me [in 2009, 2010] and we didn't lose a single match on both occasions. Here in Oman, the Gulf Cup is a huge thing and I can understand that this team and its coach are under pressure now. ''But sometimes, such situations can inspire a team to bounce back. After all, Oman is still in the race for a 2014 World Cup berth.I am sure the team will bounce back.'' The former Oman coach said that 34 year old Fauzi Basheer's retirement surprised him. ''I am surprised,'' Le Roy said. ''He played brilliantly against UAE. If this has got to do with his age, then I don't agree [with his decision to retire]. As long as he is performing well at the highest level, he can play.''On his team DR Congo's chances in the 2013 African Cup of Nations, to be played in South Africa from January 19-February 10, Le Roy said that his side has a tough job ahead. DR Congo is in Group B with Ghana, Mali and Niger. He said, ''We will start our campaign against Ghana on January 20. I have coached Ghana in the past. It is a strong team, it nearly made it to the semifinals of the 2010 World Cup [in South Africa]. I am focussing on that first match.''Under Le Roy, who took up the Congo job in September 2011, the team qualified for the African Cup after a seven-year hiatus.
