01-07-2025
Women Socca shine in Budapest championship
MUSCAT, JULY 1
The International Women's Socca Championship, held in the Hungarian capital Budapest from June 27 to 29, witnessed an impressive performance by Oman Socca Team, representing the Sultanate of Oman and the Middle East in six side football. The tournament featured eight teams from various European countries: Hungary, Italy, Poland, Belgium, Serbia, Greece, Slovakia, and Oman.
Despite not making it to the podium, Oman Socca Team received widespread praise. Team captain Hasna al Mousawi was named 'Best Goalkeeper' of the tournament and the team was honoured with the 'Fair Play Team' award in recognition of their sportsmanship and discipline throughout the competition, reflecting positively on Omani women's sports on the international stage.
Oman Socca Team was formed through a collaboration between Sport Makers Company, the exclusive representative of Socca in Oman and the Middle East, and was fully sponsored by OQ for Basic Industries. Preparations for the team began on April 28 at Goal One field in Al Athaiba, Muscat, under the leadership of head coach Raed bin Khamis al Hassani, assistant coach Kamel al Balushi, and team manager Hameeda al Jabri.
The team consisted of a group of talented Omani players: Hasna al Mousawi, Mathir al Harthy, Afraa al Mahrouqi, Hanan al Ismaili, Razan al Zadjali, Hiba al Asmi, Tharaa al Ismaili, Jinan al Riyami, Shaima al Zadjali, Lulwa al Ismaili, Nayra al Amri, Safiya al Ghafri, in addition to Lina Griger and Reese Label. Preparations included daily training sessions, friendly matches with academy and college teams and regular beach training.
The team kicked off its tournament campaign with a tough match against the host and defending champion, Hungary, losing 0-2 despite a commendable performance. They bounced back in the second match with a valuable 1-0 victory over Serbia, with the goal scored by Safiya al Ghafri. In the third match, they held Slovakia to a goalless draw, securing a place in the semifinals as runners-up of the group.
In the semifinals, they once again faced Hungary and lost 1-4, with Tharaa al Ismaili scoring Oman's only goal. In the third-place playoff, they faced Belgium and were defeated 1-3, with Tharaa al Ismaili scoring again.
Coach Raid al Hassani described the experience as exceptional, marking the team's first international appearance. We were fortunate to have this opportunity, which allowed us to witness the high level of professionalism among European teams, both technically and organisationally. It's something we aspire to apply back home, he said. Regarding the competition, Al Hassani noted the admiration the team received from organisers and fellow teams due to their tactical discipline. Although this was our debut, we received many compliments for our playing style. However, there are still areas that need improvement, and we plan to address them upon our return to Oman.
On the benefits of participating, Al Hassani emphasised that the championship was a vital step in developing the players' skills and mindset. Direct competition with strong European teams like Hungary, Serbia and Belgium helped elevate the team's mental and physical levels and clearly showed us our strengths and areas for growth.
Looking ahead, Al Hassani revealed that the team has a comprehensive plan that includes scouting new talent from schools and academies and participating in both local and international competitions. "We aim to build a solid foundation of players who can represent Oman in future events." he added.
