FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Know Your Opponent - Oman

History

While Oman, like India, never managed to qualify in the finals of the FIFA World Cup, they have been quite prolific in front of the goal in the qualifiers. In the 70 WC qualifiers they have played till date, they have scored a whopping 115 goals, which is something that India should be wary of. However, all their firepower up top hasn’t won them either the World Cup or the AFC Asian Cup.

Formation and Tactics

In Eriwn Koeman, Oman have a manager who is fluent in European football and could actually notch up their free-flowing attacking football to another level. Having played for Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven among other clubs earlier, Koeman has been a veteran in managing sides as well. He has taken on projects like the Hungary national team and 19-time Turkish champions Fenerbahce, apart from being the assistant manager in English clubs like Everton and Southampton.

Feyenoord saw the countryman playing more on the offensive and it pretty much clicked for them. He managed 77 games for them, winning 37 of those matches and saw his side scoring 144 goals in the process. His last stint with Fenerbahce also saw the Dutchman deploying similar tactics, mostly 4-4-2 double 6 and 4-2-3-1, and although he could manage just 10 games, the team scored the same number of goals.

However, with Koeman joining only last February and Oman players still coming out of Kim Verbeek’s style of play, India could have an advantage over Oman in terms of preparation. Verbeek was a lover of the 4-2-3-1 formation as he stuck to it even when things didn’t go his way in the AFC Asian Cup.  

Oman’s squad could be phrased as the perfect blend of youth and experience and Koeman would have a huge luxury at the back with the likes of Al-Musalami, and Al-Mukhaini still plying their trade. The duo has a whopping 190 caps between them and negotiates brilliantly with the pre-offensive philosophy. They are further supported by the likes of Al-Balushi and Al-Busaidi, who have also played over 50 times for the national team.

The midfield would be the biggest strength for Koeman and Oman with the names they have on paper. India’s biggest threat and someone who holds great composure at the centre of the park would be Al-Mahaijri. With 169 international caps to his name, the midfielder has scored 21 goals for his country. The likes of Saleh (87 caps) and Al-Khaldi also provide the perfect cushion to Mahaijri. Al-Hajri has been relatively inexperienced and new upfront but has been prolific with 11 goals from 23 matches.

India’s biggest disadvantage going into this match would be their inexperience. Igor Stimac has been quite adamant in keeping his squad as young as possible, which has fed to his demand of high pressing game. However, against the veterans of Oman, things wouldn’t take much to fall apart, as was evident in the Intercontinental Cup where the Indian side conceded goals in the blink of an eye.

The injury of Amartjit Singh Kiyam has also left a big gap in Stimac’s midfield and it would be interesting to see how the manager compensates for it. However, what would be telling is finding the perfect balance between offense and defence, and it could only be done in the midfield. With the likes of Sahal Abdul Samad and Anirudh Thapa or even Ashique Kuruniyan for that matter doing the creative work, Stimac would need a relentless play breaker to even things out. And with Pronay Halder already being released from the 38-man squad, finding the right option looks tricky.

As far as India’s little scope to inflict suffering upon Oman is concerned, Oman’s inexperienced goalie could be their weak link. With the likes of Udanta Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Kuruniyan, Sunil Chhetri on the flanks, India would have no problems attacking. And they would want to make every chance count.