Oman boss Tarek Sektioui backs players to defy UAE in Gulf Cup 27 semi-final

Oman manager Tarek Sektioui says his side are ready physically and mentally to face the United Arab Emirates in Saturday’s Gulf Cup 27 semi-final at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium.

Sektioui said Oman’s players would be driven by a desire to give their supporters something to celebrate, despite widespread expectations that they would already have been eliminated.

“We are ready mentally, physically and medically for the match, although we still have one final training session,” he 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’s progress has challenged the predictions made before the tournament, and Sektioui said the experience had offered lessons beyond football.

“Everyone expected Oman to go out, but football for me is a school of life that goes beyond the boundaries of the pitch. Every day, it gives us lessons connected to things greater than football.”

Sektioui also defended his squad from criticism, insisting that any blame should be directed towards him rather than the players.

“Anyone who wants to criticise should direct that criticism at me,” he said. “The players are doing excellent work. Omani football gives its players, compared with others, a great desire to overcome difficulties.

“We have experienced players, as well as younger ones who should not be subjected to criticism.”

The Oman manager said he respected the United Arab Emirates but believed the semi-final would be closely contested.

“We do not underestimate ourselves, while at the same time we respect the opponent,” Sektioui said. “The United Arab Emirates are, for us, like every other team we face.

“A semi-final speaks for itself, and over 90 minutes there are no significant differences between the two teams.”

He added that Oman had benefited considerably from its campaign and was continuing to develop despite the obstacles it had faced.

“The Omani national team is gaining a great deal from this tournament and is showing itself more clearly despite the difficulties,” he said. “I say this plainly: the Omani national team is growing in Gulf Cup 27.”

Sektioui said Oman’s progress was the result of a long-term plan rather than coincidence.

“Oman are well known in the Gulf and in Asia. What they have achieved did not happen by chance, but is the result of years of planning to build a team for the future. They have now reached a stage of maturity.”

The coach has previously faced the United Arab Emirates in the Arab Cup and is familiar with the UAE Pro League. He said the current UAE side had changed significantly from its predecessor, including in the coaching department.

Sektioui also noted that the UAE had used rotation in its final group match, allowing it to prepare players for the semi-final.

At the end of the news conference, an Iraqi journalist apologised for comments made by some Iraqi media outlets after Oman’s previous match. Sektioui responded by praising the Iraqi people.

“I salute the brotherly Iraqi people; they are a wonderful and refined nation,” he said. “Football is a game that brings people together, and when the final whistle is blown, everything ends.”