Latest news with #RasheedJaber
Observer
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman hunting for historic maiden Fifa WC appearance
MUSCAT: As the highly anticipated draw for the Playoff Round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 approaches, the Oman national football team are preparing for a monumental opportunity to secure their first-ever qualification to the Fifa World Cup. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), in a recent update on its official website, highlighted that Oman and Indonesia are the only two teams among the playoff contenders aiming to book a historic debut appearance at the Fifa World Cup. Meanwhile, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates will seek their second-ever qualification, and Qatar and Saudi Arabia will aim to make back-to-back appearances in the prestigious global event. The draw for the decisive stage of the Asian qualifiers for Fifa World Cup 2026 will take place on Thursday at 11:00 am (Oman time). Based on the latest Fifa Men's World Rankings published on June 13, Oman will be placed in Pot 3, alongside Indonesia. Qatar and Saudi Arabia, designated as host nations for the two playoff groups will occupy Pot 1 while Iraq and UAE teams are positioned in Pot 2. The playoff format will see the six teams split into two groups of three, with only the group winners progressing directly to the Fifa World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Each group will compete in a single round-robin format, hosted in centralised venues by the Qatar Football Association and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, both of whom were confirmed as Host Member Associations last month. These Playoffs represent the final pathway for six Asian teams after they secured third or fourth place in their respective groups during the third round of AFC qualifiers. Oman, Indonesia, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE will now battle for Asia's remaining two direct berths. The journey does not end for group runners-up, as they will face off in a two-legged knockout round scheduled for November 13 and 18. The winner of that matchup will advance to the Fifa Intercontinental Play-Off Tournament, where one final qualification spot will be contested globally. A separate draw will be held after the group stage to determine the home team for each leg of this knockout encounter. Oman's national team, led by head coach Rasheed Jaber, will head into the Playoffs with determination and national pride. By end of August, Oman team will take part in the CAFA (Central Asian Football Association) Nations League 2025, a friendly international tournament which is scheduled from August 26 to September 9, co-hosted by Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Oman has been drawn into Group A alongside hosts Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, while Group B featured Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Malaysia. Attendance in this friendly event is part of the team's ahead of the main assignment in Asian qualifiers – Roard to 26.
Observer
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
OFA postpones the training camp for technical review
MUSCAT, JULY 1 The Oman Football Association (OFA) announced on Tuesday the postponement of the national team's internal training camp which was originally scheduled to begin on Tuesday and run until month end as part of the team's technical programme leading up to the next phase of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road 2026. Based on the announcement, the decision made as part of a comprehensive technical and administrative review by the OFA's technical committee. This review will include complete evaluation on the previous phase, examining past performance strategies, and assessing outcomes to ensure the best possible preparation for the upcoming period. The OFA confirmed that this decision aligned with ongoing internal administrative actions and is intended to maximise efficiency in planning, readiness and preparation for future commitments. By postponing the camp, OFA will aim to implement a fully integrated vision for the next phase, including refined training periods and enhanced coordination across all departments supporting the national teams. The coaching staff, led by coach Rasheed Jaber, will go under a comprehensive preparatory programme in the upcoming phase focusing on tactical formations and fitness development. The upcoming summer gathering will be an important opportunity to shape the squad and fine-tune the tactical and physical aspects of the team. The next training camp will reflect the national team's ambition to secure one of the two direct qualification berths and realise the long-standing dream of reaching the Fifa World Cup for the first time in Oman's history. Squad: Ibrahim al Mukhaini, Fayez al Rushaidi, Abdulmalik al Badri, Thani al Rushaidi, Ghanim al Habshi, Majid al Saadi, Ziyad al Rasbi, Turki Abdullah, Mulhem al Sunaidy, Essa al Naabi, Ahmed al Kaabi, Yousef al Malki, Harib al Saadi, Sultan al Marzooq, Ahed al Mashakheyi, Al Faraj al Kiyoumi, Fahad Adil, Mohammed al Ghafri, Abdulsalam al Shukaili, Hussain al Shahri, Jameel al Yahmadi, Nasser al Rawahi, Hamed al Habsi, Mohammed Abdulhakim, Osama Majdi, Hatim al Rousdhi, Ahmed al Ryami, Bassam al Saadi, Said al Salami and Mohammed Bait Mustahil.
Observer
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Rasheed calls 30 players for Salalah training camp
MUSCAT: The Oman head coach team, Rasheed Jaber, announced recently the squad of 30 man for the upcoming Salalah training camp which is scheduled to take place from July 1 to 29. The squad featured a mixture of experienced players as well as standout talents from the Olympic and youth national teams and in line with the technical staff's strategy to build depth and broaden readiness for the decisive qualification phase. The official draw of the upcoming phase of the playoff qualifiers will take place on July 17. The preparatory camp in Salalah will act as a key part of the Red Warriors' preparations for the next round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers — Road to the Fifa World Cup 2026, where Oman will compete in the intercontinental playoff stage in October 2025, with two direct spots for the global finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States up for grabs. The preparatory camp in Salalah will act as a key part of the Red Warriors' preparations for the next round The coastal city of Salalah was selected for its mild summer climate, providing an ideal environment for high-intensity technical and physical training. Over the course of the 29-days camp, players will undergo a comprehensive programme under the direct supervision of head coach Rasheed Jaber and his assistant Yaqoob al Sabahi, focusing on tactical formations, fitness development and team chemistry. The summer gathering will be an important opportunity to shape the squad and fine-tune the tactical and physical aspects of the team. The presence of young players allow the coaching staff to assess future talents and increase competition within the squad. The training camp reflected the national team's ambition to secure one of the two direct qualification berths and realise the long-standing dream of reaching the Fifa World Cup for the first time in Oman's history. Squad: Ibrahim al Mukhaini, Fayez al Rushaidi, Abdulmalik al Badri, Thani al Rushaidi, Ghanim al Habshi, Majid al Saadi, Ziyad al Rasbi, Turki Abdullah, Mulhem al Sunaidy, Essa al Naabi, Ahmed al Kaabi, Yousef al Malki, Harib al Saadi, Sultan al Marzooq, Ahed al Mashakheyi, Al Faraj al Kiyoumi, Fahad Adil, Mohammed al Ghafri, Abdulsalam al Shukaili, Hussain al Shahri, Jameel al Yahmadi, Nasser al Rawahi, Hamed al Habsi, Mohammed Abdulhakim, Osama Majdi, Hatim al Rousdhi, Ahmed al Riyami, Bassam al Saadi, Said al Salami and Mohammed Bait Mustahil.
Times of Oman
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Jaber lauds Red Warriors grit as Oman reach World Cup playoffs
MUSCAT: Oman football team head coach Rasheed Jaber hailed his side's fighting spirit and unwavering belief after they secured a dramatic 1-1 draw with Palestine on Tuesday in Amman, clinching a place in the AFC Asian Qualifier - Road to 26 playoff round. Needing at least a point to keep their FIFA World Cup dream alive, Oman looked set to crash out after conceding early in the second half and being reduced to ten men. But a stoppage-time penalty, coolly dispatched by Issam Al Subhi, saw them snatch a vital draw and book their place in the October playoffs. 'We knew this match would be very difficult. Palestine are well organised and have good players,' said Jaber, acknowledging the quality of their opponents who were on the cusp of advancing to the playoffs in their maiden campaign at this stage. 'They made it very difficult for us, and we then conceded early in the second half. Our situation was made worse by the red card (for Harib Al Saadi) but we never gave up.' Palestine had taken a 49th-minute lead through Oday Kharoub, and with Oman struggling to break through, their chances appeared all but over. Yet in the dying moments, a foul by Ahmad Taha on Mohsin Al Ghassani gave Oman a lifeline — and they seized it. 'Despite everything, the players fought until the end, and they had the desire and ambition. The players were determined to complete the qualifying campaign,' Jaber added, visibly proud of his squad's resilience. The result meant Oman advanced to the playoff stage of the Asian Qualifiers, where six teams will be divided into two groups. Besides the five other teams are Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Iraq, UAE, and Qatar. The group winners will earn direct qualification to the FIFA World Cup, while the two runners-up will face off for a place in the Inter-Confederation playoff, offering a final route to the global stage. 'Now we can think about the next round in October,' said Jaber. 'This is only the beginning — we still have work to do, but tonight, the players showed what it means to believe.'
Times of Oman
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Oman's World Cup hopes remain alive as they hold Palestine to reach playoffs
Muscat: A ten-man Oman's booked their spot in the playoffs of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Group B as they scraped to a 1-1 draw against Palestine at the King Abdullah Stadium in Amman, Jordan, on Tuesday night. Issam Al Subhi converted a penalty in the injury time to earn a much needed single point to help them reach the fourth round along with Iraq after trailing Palestine for most part of second half. Earlier, Oday Kharoub's powerful header in the 49th minute got Palestine the lead but a never-say-die spirit of Rasheed Jaber-coached Red Warriors' earned them a playoff spot. With thr draw Oman finished with 11 points while Palestine ended with 10 points. Oman went into the match, needing just a draw to advance into the playoffs, thus ended their campaign with 11 points. South Korea (22 points) and Jordan (16) booked direct spots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup from Group B while Iraq (15) and Oman advanced to the playoffs as third and fourth placed teams from the group. For Oman, it was a memorable comeback defeat after they lost 3-0 to Jordan at home last week. Oman escaped an early scare when a header from Palestine player hit the woodwork in the fourth minute of the match. Munther Al Alawi of Oman had the best chance in the first half as he darted into the box dangerously only to find a defender make a last minute save. Both the teams failed to find the target till thr break but Palestine broke the deadlock soon after resumption when off a corner kick, Kharoub's header beat the Oman defence and goalkeeper Faiz Al Rusheidi. Oman tried hard to find the much-needed equaliser but their efforts suffered a blow in the 73rd minute when the experienced midfielder Harib Al Saadi was given marching orders by the Iranian referee for a tackle that earned him his second yellow card. Down by a man, Oman continued to put pressure on Palestine but the equaliser remained elusive till the last minute of the injury time when they earned a spot kick after Oman's Mohsin Al Ghassani was brought down inside the box by Palestine's Ahmad Taha.
