Oman manager Tarek Al-Saktiwi said his team did not deserve to lose 1-0 to United Arab Emirates in the Gulf Cup semi-final on Saturday.
The Moroccan coach said he was deeply disappointed by the result after the match, while praising his players for their performance, tactical discipline and determination to recover and put pressure on their opponents.
Speaking to Qatar’s Al Kass channels, Al-Saktiwi said there was no secret behind Oman’s improvement during the tournament.
“It is simply work and effort,” he said.
Al-Saktiwi, who is new to the Oman national team, said his side had faced several difficulties before and during the competition. These included injuries, player fatigue following the end of the season and the absence of a long training camp before the tournament.
He added that Oman’s performances had been positive and had improved as the competition progressed.
“The team’s performance was growing with the tournament,” he said.
Al-Saktiwi also addressed speculation about his future with “the Reds”, confirming that his contract runs for four years. He said the long-term objective was to build a strong, competitive side and qualify for the next World Cup.
In his post-match news conference, according to a statement published by the Oman national team’s account on X, Al-Saktiwi said his players had performed well but had been unable to find a way back into the match.
“We played a good game, but we were not successful in coming back into it. The UAE team was strong and well organised, and we tried to be realistic during the match,” he said.
“I am sad about the defeat and we did not deserve it, despite the circumstances we are dealing with. We benefited greatly from the tournament and wanted to use it to understand exactly where we stand. We will continue to assess the performance.”
Al-Saktiwi said the competition had provided valuable experience for Oman’s younger players, with more demanding challenges ahead.
“It was an important tournament for the young players, and the upcoming commitments will be stronger and more difficult,” he said.
He also insisted that selection for the national team remained open to any player who demonstrated the required level.
“We have a long time to work on correcting our mistakes. Changing some players was necessary for the future of Omani football,” Al-Saktiwi added.
“I always say that we need patience, and then more patience, if we want to build a strong and competitive national team.”
