Oman into the 2nd round of Beach Handball Championship
The Oman U-17 beach handball team advanced to the main round of the 2025 IHF Men's Junior Beach Handball World Championship following their impressive victory over Puerto Rico by 2-1 in their final group stage match late on Wednesday. The thrilling win took Oman junior stars in the second position of Group A behind the toppers Spain who led the group with two victories. The triumph meant, Oman earned their place among the top twelve teams of the tournament and now prepares to face European powerhouses including: Croatia, Germany and Hungary in the second round.
The win against Puerto Rico revived debutant Oman hopes to continue in the competitions of the global event. Oman team players suffered to a 2-0 loss against Spain but they bounced back strongly and displayed composure and resilience in a tightly contested encounter. Oman took the first half and ended at 10-8 while Puerto Rico managed to end the second half by 18-16. The match was decided via a penalty shootout as Oman's goalie Louay al Sulaimani made a crucial save and Oman's star player Salim al Oraimi scored the decisive point to seal a 9-8 shootout win.
With the winning result, Oman entered the main round carrying over their points from matches against Spain and Puerto Rico. In this stage and accordingly to playing format of the tournament, the top three teams from Group A will face the top three from Group B including: Germany, who ended as group topper, Croatia -finished in second place and Hungary who completed their group stage campaign in third place.
Oman team will meet Croatia earlier on Friday and then they will face Germany while they will conclude their matches by an encounter against Hungary late in the same day.
Oman assistant head coach Arif al Balushi expressed pride in the players' efforts and highlighted the importance of maintaining focus:' The win over Puerto Rico showed the team's character and ability to bounce back under pressure after the defeat against Spain in the opening game. We will face tough and elite European teams in the second phase of the tournament. The team players prepared well and are determined to compete with proper discipline and technique." He said
'The second round will be more challenging but our goal is to build on our momentum and secure a historic semifinal berth.' He ended
This edition of the IHF Junior Beach Handball World Championship is the largest in history, featuring 32 nations across the globe. Oman's participation was made possible through a recommendation from the Asian Handball Federation, following their fourth-place finish at the Asian event held in Thailand.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
Queiroz proud to lead Oman as new coach
MUSCAT: The newly appointed head coach Carlos Queiroz expressed his deep sense of pride and responsibility in leading Oman's national senior football team, calling it a 'great gratitude and huge honour' to be entrusted with such a role. This statement was part of his first official interview published in different channels of the social media accounts of Oman Football Association (OFA) following his appointment and official signing function which took place earlier this week at OFA headquarter in Seeb Stadium. The veteran Portuguese tactician highlighted during the interview passionately about his ambitions, strategic approach and message to Oman's audience and fans. Acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead, Queiroz stated in his initial remarks, 'I understand it is a huge challenge and it is not an easy task. However, it can be better challenge through our work and clear commitment. In my definition, it could be easy and simple as well. At the end of the challenges, you will feel the sweat as the reward after achieving the target through hard work in smart way.' As Red Warriors are gearing up for the decisive final round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to the Fifa World Cup 2026, Queiroz outlined his roadmap to success. ' My plan is to study the current situation thoroughly by reviewing the team, assessing the players, gathering detailed information about our opponents beside building the best preparation plan for our squad. In addition to that, Smart planning, clear goals, team discipline, and ambition will form the core of the best technical strategy, ' he added Coach Queiroz also delivered a heartfelt message to the Omani fans, calling on them to become an active force in the team's journey. 'Be the player No. 12. Wear the national team shirt not only during matches but also during training moments. You are the power behind the team.' Carlos Queiroz, who signed a one-year contract with OFA earlier this week, will bring with him a wealth of global coaching experience. Under his leadership, Red Warriors will enter the forthcoming playoff stage of the Asian qualifiers — Road to 26 with top ambitious as Oman aim for its first-ever appearance at the Fifa World Cup. A press conference has been scheduled for the new coach and his assisting team on August 5 where Coach Queiroz will unveil his full technical program and plans leading up to October's qualifiers.
Muscat Daily
17-07-2025
- Muscat Daily
Oman to face Qatar and UAE in World Cup Qualifiers in October
By OUR CORRESPONDENT Muscat – The draw for the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 placed the Oman national football team in Group A alongside Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The draw was held at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Group A matches will be hosted by Qatar in a single-stage league format from October 8 to 14, 2025. Group B, hosted by Saudi Arabia, will include Iraq and Indonesia. The six teams were divided into two groups of three, with only the top team in each group qualifying directly for the 2026 World Cup finals, joining six Asian teams that have already secured their spots. The second-placed teams from each group will face off in a two-legged playoff on November 13 and 18. The winner will advance to the intercontinental playoff, competing for an additional World Cup berth. An additional draw decided that the runner-up of Group A will host the first leg of the playoff.
Observer
16-07-2025
- Observer
Oman set for WC 2026 playoff draw
MUSCAT, JULY 16 The Oman national football team will learn their fate in the decisive stage of the Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifiers as the playoff round draw will take place on Thursday at 11:00 am (Oman time). The draw which will be held at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters in Malaysia, will mark the beginning of Oman's last and most crucial push to achieve a historic maiden qualification to the Fifa World Cup. The forthcoming phase of Oman's football will be led by the veteran Portuguese tactician Carlos Queiroz, who was officially appointed as head coach on Tuesday by the Oman Football Association (OFA). The OFA confirmed the appointment via an official media statement on its social media platforms, expressing confidence in Queiroz's ability to take Red Warriors into new heights. Queiroz, whose illustrious coaching career includes spells with the national teams of Iran, Egypt, Colombia, and South Africa, as well as a tenure as assistant manager of Manchester United, will bring a wealth of tactical international experience. His leadership is expected to be a key factor as Oman prepares to navigate one of the toughest phases in Asian football qualification. He will assisted by the Omani experienced coach Hamed al Azzani who is also in charge of Oman U-19 head coach. The AFC playoff round will feature six teams including: Oman, Indonesia, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE as all of them finished third and fourth in their respective groups during the third round of qualification. These teams will be split into two groups of three, with only the group winners earning direct tickets to the Fifa World Cup 2026, to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Each group will play in a single round-robin format hosted at centralised venues. The Qatar Football Association and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation have been confirmed as the official hosts for the playoff stage. The draw pots will be based on Fifa Men's World Rankings as of June 13 as Qatar (53) and Saudi Arabia (58) in Pot one while Iraq (59) and United Arab Emirates (66) will be set at pot two. Oman (79) and Indonesia (118) are in pot three. The playoff set to be held during October 8 to 14 in Doha and Riyadh cities. Carlos Queiroz Oman's fans hopes are high with the new leadership of Carlos Queiroz and the experience of a battle-hardened squad. All the audience will aim that Oman can make a historic breakthrough and join the global elite at the Fifa World Cup for the first time in the history. The two teams which will end as runner-up in their group, they will still have a final opportunity to qualify through a Knockout Stage scheduled for November 13 and 18. The winner of that tie will progress to the Fifa intercontinental Play-Off tournament, offering one last chance at securing qualification.
