Oman's coach, Tarik Scktioui, expressed his disappointment and bitterness after his team lost 1-0 to UAE in the semi-finals of the Gulf Cup. The match was part of the 27th edition of the tournament, also known as "Khuligi 27". Scktioui stated that his team did not deserve to lose, adding that they had played a good game, especially in the second half. He also mentioned that they had chances to equalize but failed to capitalize on them.
The UAE won the match with a single goal scored by Othman Kamara in the 22nd minute. Oman's players had opportunities to score, including a missed penalty kick by Nicolas Jimenez in the 56th minute, which was saved by Oman's goalkeeper, Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini. Scktioui attributed the loss partly to the exit of Abdullah Fawaz, which affected their midfield options in the final minutes of the game.
Despite the loss, Scktioui considered Oman's participation in the tournament a success. He stated that his team gained valuable lessons and experiences, despite some errors that were not related to technical or tactical aspects but rather to concentration, mental, and psychological factors. Scktioui identified mistakes in set pieces as an area that needs improvement.
Scktioui emphasized the need for gradual renewal within the team, particularly with some players advancing in age. However, he stressed that this process would be done gradually, not comprehensively. He also expressed his openness to welcoming new players who can make a contribution and adhere to the team's work system.
The UAE's win against Oman set up a final match against Saudi Arabia. The UAE team will have the support of their fans, with six special planes arranged to transport them to watch the final match. Scktioui's comments reflect the competitive spirit of the tournament and the ambitions of the teams participating in it.
The Gulf Cup, also known as the Arabian Gulf Cup, is a biennial football tournament for national teams from countries in the Persian Gulf region. The tournament has a rich history, with the first edition held in 1968 in Bahrain. The competition has been held 24 times, with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait being the most successful teams.
Oman's coach concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the team's door is open to all players who can make a positive contribution. He expressed his hope that the team will learn from their mistakes and come back stronger in future tournaments. The UAE, on the other hand, will look to build on their momentum and claim the championship title.
Key points
- Oman's coach, Tarik Scktioui, expressed disappointment and bitterness after his team lost 1-0 to UAE in the Gulf Cup semi-finals, stating that they did not deserve to lose.
