Oman name starting XI for decisive Gulf Cup clash with Kuwait

Oman have announced their starting line-up for their final Group A match against Kuwait at the Gulf Cup 27 tournament, with victory potentially taking them through to the semi-finals.

The match will be played at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, which is hosting the competition until 6 October. The group also includes hosts Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Oman manager Tareq Sektioui has selected Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini in goal, with Harib Al-Saadi, Ahmed Al-Kaabi, Amjad Al-Harthi, Musab Al-Shaqsi, Khalid Al-Breiki, Jameel Al-Yahmadi, Nasser Al-Rawahi, Hussein Al-Shahri, Abdulsalam Al-Shakili and Issam Al-Subhi completing the line-up.

Kuwait, managed by Portuguese coach Helio Sousa, will start with Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli as goalkeeper. Their other starters are Rashed Al-Doseri, Fahad Al-Hajeri, Abdulaziz Mehran, Muath Al-Dhafiri, Khaled Al-Morshed, Jassem Al-Matar, Mahdi Dashti, Mohamed Daham, Eid Al-Rashidi and Shabib Al-Khaldi.

Oman need to beat Kuwait and hope Iraq lose to Saudi Arabia later on the same night to secure a place in the last four. The result of the Saudi Arabia-Iraq match will therefore have a direct bearing on Oman’s prospects of progressing.

Kuwait have already been eliminated after losing their opening two matches against Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Their final fixture against Oman is consequently their last opportunity to claim points in the tournament.

The four teams make up Group A, with the top sides advancing to the semi-finals. Oman’s starting line-up reflects the importance of a match they must win if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the next stage alive.