Ali Al-Busaidi: Oman ‘not afraid’ ahead of AFC Asian Cup 2023 opener against Saudi Arabia

Ali Al-Busaidi: Oman ‘not afraid’ ahead of AFC Asian Cup 2023 opener against Saudi Arabia
Oman's defender Ali al-Busaidi runs with the ball during the 2022 Qatar World Cup Asian Qualifiers football match between Oman and Japan (AFP)
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Updated 05 January 2024
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Ali Al-Busaidi: Oman ‘not afraid’ ahead of AFC Asian Cup 2023 opener against Saudi Arabia

Ali Al-Busaidi: Oman ‘not afraid’ ahead of AFC Asian Cup 2023 opener against Saudi Arabia
  • The Gulf neighbors are set to meet in the opening Group F match at Khalifa International Stadium on Jan.16

The Oman national team is used to punching above its weight. Despite having the third-smallest population of those nations competing at the 2019 Asian Cup, Oman reached the last-16 — eventually losing 2-0 to established regional powerhouse Iran.

It was a first appearance in the knockout stage of the Asian Cup for Oman, which will be attempting to emulate the achievement this time around in Qatar. Branko Ivankovic’s provisional Asian Cup squad has a blend of youth and experience, with just 10 of those who featured in 2019 included again this time.

One of those returning players is Al-Seeb left-back Ali Al-Busaidi, whose 75 appearances for Oman make him the second-most capped player in the squad behind Al-Nahda midfielder Harib Al-Saadi.

“It is hard sometimes when you are one of the more experienced players in the squad because you feel a greater responsibility to your team-mates,” Al-Busaidi told Arab News from Oman’s pre-tournament training camp in Abu Dhabi. 

“The focus is more on your team and not just your own performance because we are not just playing for our club, we are playing for our country. There is a responsibility for me, particularly with the younger players, to help them.

“They have a big motivation to do things but I think a lot of them are focused too much on social media sometimes — they are worried about what people will say about them but if you think this way as a professional footballer ... you cannot live your life.

“I feel responsibility to make sure they understand what it means to play for Oman and how to deal with the pressure in important moments.”

The first of those moments in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup will come in the Oman’s opening Group F match against Saudi Arabia on Jan. 16. The game comes a year after Oman defeated the Green Falcons 2-1 in the Arabian Gulf Cup, knocking their opponents out of the tournament at the group stage.

Al-Busaidi believes Oman have every reason to be confident, having historically proven difficult opposition for more established international sides at the Asian Cup. In the past two tournaments they battled to narrow 1-0 group-stage losses against Japan and South Korea.

“The Saudi team is better now,” Al-Busaidi said. “Like Oman I think they would benefit from having more players outside of the league of Saudi Arabia as this is how your team really improves, but there are obviously a lot of fantastic players there in the league now.

“The first match is always hard for the both teams because this can be the key for qualification. You cannot relax for a moment of any match; if you go to sleep, your opponents will punish you. It’s about staying in matches for as long as possible — every point counts and then if we get through the group, who knows?

“We aren’t afraid of anyone because we’ve shown that we can compete with Asia’s best sides. We should have drawn against Japan at the last Asian Cup but sometimes you are not lucky when you play against teams who are much stronger. But we know we can play.”

Victory over Saudi Arabia at last year’s Arabian Gulf Cup helped Oman to advance from the group stage and Ivankovic’s side eventually lost to hosts Iraq in the final, a heart-breaking defeat that came in stoppage time of extra-time. Al-Busaidi admits it took a bit of time for the players to pick themselves up but insists they are ready for tournament football again.

“The players were upset because it is a tournament we have won twice before,” the defender said. “For some of them it was the first time they reached the final and they really wanted to win the trophy but this is football — sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t. But this should encourage the players.

“I think after the Gulf Cup the motivation was maybe not like before, as when you reach the top and you are fighting hard, it is normal that after the tournament the mentality is not the same. But right now, they are working hard because this is more than the Gulf Cup. We are in the Asian Cup so the motivation must come up again.”

Al-Busaidi’s club manager at Omani side Al-Seeb is Jorvan Vieira, who triumphed against the odds with Iraq at the 2007 Asian Cup as overwhelming favorites Saudi Arabia were beaten 1-0 in the final. It is a result that has given hope to minnows across the continent in the intervening 17 years.

“There is a saying in Arabic that every champion is born from the negative things that happened in their life and we saw this with Iraq,” Al-Busaidi said. “They won it because the team was together.

“It is very hard to break teams like this because they are playing with their hearts and with spirit. Of course, we hope to be like this too.”

Oman’s veteran Croatian boss Ivankovic has been at the Gulf nation’s helm since January 2020, an impressive tenure in a region where coach turnover is notoriously high. He has built a united group of mainly Oman-based players; in the Asian Cup squad only captain Faiz Al-Rushaidi and midfielder Jameel Al-Yahmadi play overseas with Bahraini club Manama and Qatar’s Al-Kharaitiyat respectively.

Al-Busaidi believes the lack of foreign experience of Omani players is a hindrance but is hoping that the Asian Cup provides a platform for he and his team-mates to show other clubs on the continent what they can do. 

“I think it’s a weakness (the lack of Omanis playing abroad),” Al-Busaidi said. “When you are playing with other players who are much better than you, you will improve and move toward their level. If Omani players move abroad this will benefit the while national team.

“For us in Oman, I think we are seeing potential in some Asian leagues that are improving, like Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, and we know that clubs there are looking for players. The Asian Cup is not like the Gulf Cup, this is a window for our players to potentially go outside of Oman and hopefully this will give them even more motivation in Qatar.”


Coco Gauff wins WTA Finals for the first time by rallying to beat Zheng Qinwen

Coco Gauff wins WTA Finals for the first time by rallying to beat Zheng Qinwen
Updated 10 November 2024
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Coco Gauff wins WTA Finals for the first time by rallying to beat Zheng Qinwen

Coco Gauff wins WTA Finals for the first time by rallying to beat Zheng Qinwen
  • The 20-year-old American came from 2-0 and 5-3 down in the final set and was two points from defeat at one stage
  • Gauff beat the world’s top two players — Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek — on her run to the final at the season-ending event in Riyadh

RIYADH: Coco Gauff won the WTA Finals for the first time by rallying to beat Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) in the final on Saturday.
The 20-year-old American came from 2-0 and 5-3 down in the final set and was two points from defeat at one stage.
Yet she took the set to a tiebreaker and won the first six points. Zheng threatened a comeback but Gauff took the victory off her third match point with a forehand winner as she came into the net.
She is the first American to win the Finals since Serena Williams in 2014, and received $4.8 million in prize money.
Gauff beat the world’s top two players — Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek — on her run to the final at the season-ending event in Riyadh.
Zheng was looking to complete a season in which she reached a grand slam final for the first time at the Australian Open and delivered China’s first Olympic tennis singles gold medal.
But Gauff edged the three-hour final which included 26 break points. Gauff also won their only previous meeting, in the Rome quarterfinals on clay in May.
Gauff beat Sabalenka at age 19 in last year’s US Open final to win her only major in singles to date. She teamed with Katerina Siniakova to win the French Open doubles this year.
In the WTA doubles final, Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand beat Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic and Taylor Townsend of the United States 7-5, 6-3. They are the first players from Canada and New Zealand to win the doubles title.


Man City beaten again at Brighton to open door to Liverpool

Man City beaten again at Brighton to open door to Liverpool
Updated 09 November 2024
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Man City beaten again at Brighton to open door to Liverpool

Man City beaten again at Brighton to open door to Liverpool
  • City had not suffered defeat in the league for nearly a year prior to losing at Bournemouth last weekend
  • Pep Guardiola has lost four straight matches for the first time in his illustrious managerial career

LONDON: Manchester City slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat after blowing the lead to lose 2-1 at Brighton on Saturday, allowing Liverpool the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.
City had not suffered defeat in the league for nearly a year prior to losing at Bournemouth last weekend.
But after also exiting the League Cup to Tottenham and being on the end of a 4-1 thrashing by Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League, Pep Guardiola has lost four straight matches for the first time in his illustrious managerial career.
The English champions looked set to bounce back from their chastening night in Lisbon on Tuesday when Erling Haaland prodded in his 15th goal of the season at the second attempt after his initial effort was saved by Bart Verbruggen.
City, though, were opened up at will in the second half and were finally punished by a pair of Brighton substitutes.
Joao Pedro fired in the equalizer after City failed to clear in a goalmouth scramble.
Matt O’Riley has had to wait for his Premier League debut after suffering a serious ankle injury days after sealing a move from Celtic.
The Danish international marked his bow in style when he slotted in from Pedro’s pass seven minutes from time.
Liverpool can stretch their lead at the top of the table to five points with victory over Aston Villa at Anfield later on Saturday.
Wolves ended a wait since April for a Premier League win by beating fellow strugglers Southampton 2-0 to move off the foot of the table.
Gary O’Neil was under huge pressure to deliver after a 13-game winless run in the top flight and got the perfect start when Pablo Sarabia swept home Matheus Cunha’s pass for Wolves’ fastest ever Premier League goal.
Cunha smashed home a stunning second goal himself early in the second period to give Wolves a vital three points, which sees Southampton replace them at the bottom of the table.
“He’s huge for us. He has such ability,” said O’Neil on Cunha’s influence. “A big win for us and Matheus Cunha had a big say in it.”
Fulham moved into seventh by inflicting more misery on Crystal Palace with a 2-0 win at Selhurst Park.
Emile Smith Rowe pounced on an error from Maxence Lacroix to open the scoring in first-half stoppage time.
The Eagles’ hopes of a fightback were hit when Daichi Kamada saw red for a wild lunge on Kenny Tete.
Harry Wilson came off the bench to score twice in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 win over Brentford on Monday and the Welsh international was an impact substitute again to wrap up the victory seven minutes from time.
Yoane Wissa scored a brace as Brentford twice came from behind to beat Bournemouth 3-2.
Twice the in-form Cherries led through Evanilson and Justin Kluivert.
But the Bees have taken 16 points from a possible 18 at home this season.
Brentford quickly levelled on both occasions through Wissa and Mikkel Damsgaard.
Wissa then completed the comeback with his seventh goal in eight league appearances this season.
West Ham and Everton did little to quell the discontent among both fanbases in a 0-0 draw.
There were loud boos at full-time at the London Stadium from the West Ham support, but a point does edge Everton four clear of the bottom three.


Green Falcons arrive in Melbourne for World Cup Asian qualifier against Australia

Green Falcons arrive in Melbourne for World Cup Asian qualifier against Australia
Updated 09 November 2024
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Green Falcons arrive in Melbourne for World Cup Asian qualifier against Australia

Green Falcons arrive in Melbourne for World Cup Asian qualifier against Australia
  • Team begin preparations with closed training session on Sunday
  • Saudi ambassador to Australia welcomes players at Melbourne Airport

MELBOURNE: The Saudi national football team will train in Melbourne behind closed doors on Sunday in preparation for their 2026 World Cup Asian qualifier match against Australia next Thursday.
The Green Falcons arrived in Melbourne on Sunday morning and are scheduled to face off against Australia on Nov. 14 at AAMI Park as part of the fifth round of Asian qualifiers for the World Cup.
Saudi Ambassador to Australia Sultan bin Fahd bin Khuzaim welcomed the national team upon their arrival at Melbourne International Airport.
Yasser Al-Misehal, president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Saudi Embassy for the warm welcome and the facilities provided to the delegation since their arrival.
The Green Falcons delegation left Riyadh on Saturday morning from King Khalid International Airport. They will begin their preparatory program on Sunday with a closed evening training session at 6 p.m. within Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium.


Vinícius nets hat trick in win as three Real Madrid players go down injured

Vinícius nets hat trick in win as three Real Madrid players go down injured
Updated 09 November 2024
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Vinícius nets hat trick in win as three Real Madrid players go down injured

Vinícius nets hat trick in win as three Real Madrid players go down injured
  • Madrid had heard jeers in their previous two home games
  • Vinícius got his second hat trick of the season

BARCELONA: Vinícius Júnior scored a hat trick to lead Real Madrid a 4-0 win over Osasuna on Saturday in a much-needed victory that was dampened when teammate Éder Militão left on a stretcher.
Madrid had heard jeers in their previous two home games — a 4-0 loss to fierce rival Barcelona and 3-1 defeat to AC Milan.
But the easy victory may have come at the high price.
Militão was taken off after the central defender crumbled to the turf and clutched the back of his right knee shortly before halftime. Rodrygo and Lucas Vázquez also were unable to continue after apparently sustaining muscle injuries in the first half.
Vinícius, who felt overlooked when the Ballon d’Or went to Spain’s Rodri last week, got his second hat trick of the season and took his overall tally to 12 goals. Jude Bellingham added a goal to make it 2-0.
Madrid are in second place in the Spanish league at six points behind leader Barcelona.


Waring holds one-shot Abu Dhabi lead as McIlroy struggles

Waring holds one-shot Abu Dhabi lead as McIlroy struggles
Updated 09 November 2024
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Waring holds one-shot Abu Dhabi lead as McIlroy struggles

Waring holds one-shot Abu Dhabi lead as McIlroy struggles
  • A day after setting a course record 61, the 39-year-old Waring was the only player among the top-29 on the leaderboard to post an over-par score for a total 18-under par 198
  • Fast-rising Dane Niklas Norgaard Moller hit a third round 69 to cut Waring’s five-shot overnight lead

ABU DHABI: England’s Paul Waring shot a one-over par 73 and held a one-shot lead going into the final round of the Abu Dhabi Championship on Saturday as Ireland’s Rory McIlroy continued to struggle.
A day after setting a course record 61, the 39-year-old Waring was the only player among the top-29 on the leaderboard to post an over-par score for a total 18-under par 198.
Fast-rising Dane Niklas Norgaard Moller hit a third round 69 to cut Waring’s five-shot overnight lead.
World number three Rory McIlroy dropped a big number in his closing holes for the second day in a row, this time a double bogey on the par-5 18th after an errant tee shot found water on the left side, to sit five shots off the lead.
On Friday, the Northern Irishman had made a triple bogey on the par-3 17th.
“If you’d given me a one-shot lead going into the final round at the beginning of the week, I would have snatched your hand,” said Waring, who is looking for his first win since the 2018 Nordea Masters.
“A little disappointed, because I felt like I could have really moved forward today and put myself out of sight.
“You’ve got to have an average day, don’t you?“
Three shots back, Ireland’s Shane Lowry (66), the 2019 tournament winner, was tied for third with Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (71), Dane Thorbjoern Olesen (71) and Swede Sebastian Soederberg (68) at 15-under par.
With the wind picking up toward the afternoon and the greens becoming firmer and faster, the conditions were challenging after two benign days.
Waring had taken advantage of the conditions with rounds of 64 and 61 and started the day at 19-under.
An early birdie extended his advantage, but a three-putt bogey on the par-3 fourth hole frayed his nerves, after which he struggled to get his speed and line right with the putter.
British Masters champion Norgaard made his first bogey of the tournament on the ninth hole, but three birdies on the back nine kept him in the hunt for a second title this year.
“Very satisfied with today,” said the 32-year-old, who is almost guaranteed a PGA Tour card next season as one of top-10 players from the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings.
A disappointed McIlroy closed with a three-under-par 69 and dropped to tied 13th position on 13-under-par 203.
He still felt confident of getting his hands on the trophy in Abu Dhabi for the first time in his career.
“Playing the last two holes two-over two days in a row is not ideal. Cost myself a few shots there,” said McIlroy, who is seeking to secure his sixth DP World Tour Order of Merit crown next week in Dubai and match the legendary Spaniard Seve Ballesteros.
“The leaders weren’t getting away, which was nice and I was making a little bit of a charge. And yeah, just one mistake, that drive on 18, and with it playing so much into the wind.
“It was an untimely mistake, just like yesterday on the 17th, and I dug myself a little bit of a hole to get out of, but depending on what the leaders do, I can still go into tomorrow feeling like I have half a chance.
“I just need to put it all together and play the way I’ve been playing and keep the big mistakes and big numbers off my card and if I can do that and post a score, you never know.”