Tarik Sektioui has challenged the United Arab Emirates ahead of Oman’s Arab Gulf Cup “Gulf 27” semi-final, while insisting his players are ready both physically and mentally for Saturday’s match at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium.
Oman’s head coach said his squad had one final training session remaining before the meeting, and that the players would be motivated by their desire to make the Omani public proud.
“We are ready mentally, physically and in terms of our fitness for the match, although we still have one final training session,” Sektioui said at his pre-match news conference.
“The players will go on to the pitch with their hearts and minds alongside the Omani people, in order to make them happy.”
Oman had been widely expected to be eliminated from the tournament, but Sektioui said their progress had provided lessons extending beyond football.
“Everyone expected Oman to go out, but football for me is a school for life which goes beyond the boundaries of the pitch,” he said. “Every day, it gives us lessons about matters that are bigger than football.”
Sektioui also defended his squad from criticism and accepted responsibility for the team’s performances.
“Anyone who wants to criticise should direct that criticism at me,” he said. “The players are doing an excellent job. Omani football gives its players, compared with others, a great desire to overcome difficulties.
“We have players with experience, as well as younger players who should not be subjected to criticism.”
The coach said Oman respected the UAE but would not approach the semi-final with an inferiority complex.
“We do not underestimate ourselves, while at the same time we respect the opponent,” he said. “The UAE is like every other team we face. A semi-final speaks for itself and, over 90 minutes, there are no major differences between the two teams.”
Sektioui believes Oman’s participation in the tournament has accelerated the team’s development, despite the difficulties it has encountered.
“The Omani national team is benefiting greatly from this tournament and is showing itself more clearly despite the challenges,” he said. “I say this clearly: Oman is growing in Gulf 27.”
He added that Oman’s current position was the result of a long-term plan rather than luck.
“The Omani national team is well known in the Gulf and Asia,” Sektioui said. “What it has achieved has not happened by chance. It is the result of years of planning to build a team for the future, and it has now reached a stage of maturity.”
Sektioui has previously faced the UAE in the Arab Cup and said his knowledge of the UAE Pro League would also help him assess the opponents. He added that the current UAE side was significantly different from its predecessor, including changes to the coaching staff.
He also said the UAE had benefited from rotating its squad in their final group match, allowing players to be prepared for the semi-final.
At the end of the news conference, Sektioui responded to an apology from an Iraqi journalist over comments made by some Iraqi media outlets after Oman’s previous match.
“I salute the brotherly Iraqi people; they are a wonderful and refined people,” he said. “Football is a game that unites nations, and when the final whistle is blown, everything ends.”
