Wednesday 01 / January / 2025
Muscat: Oman’s journey to the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup semi-finals has captured the hearts of fans across the country, and their passionate support will be felt in full force when Rasheed Jaber’s team faces Saudi Arabia in a high-stakes semifinal in Kuwait on December 31, Tuesday. The match kicks off at 6.30pm, Oman time.
In an encouraging move, Oman Football Association (OFA) vice-chairman Mohsin Al Masroori confirmed on Sunday that two special flights will carry hundreds of fans from Oman to Kuwait for the crucial clash on Tuesday.
The OFA has already been allocated 5,600 tickets for its supporters, all of which have been sold out.
Given the overwhelming demand, Al Masroori announced that arrangements are being made to charter a third plane to accommodate even more fans.
The additional flights are expected to further lift the spirits of Oman’s players as they look to secure a place in the final.
The announcement comes as Oman’s national team, also known as the Red Warriors, prepares to take on the well-fancied Saudi Arabia. The Omani fans’ presence in the stands is expected to bolster the morale of Jaber’s squad.
The OFA is going above and beyond to ensure the smooth travel of fans, ensuring they can make the trip without issue and have an unforgettable experience supporting their team.
Fans’ support is undoubtedly a source of motivation for the Red Warriors as they aim to secure a third Arabian Gulf Cup title for Oman, with previous wins coming in 2009 and 2017.
Oman topped Group A in the group stages, which set them up for a semifinal showdown with Saudi Arabia.
Their campaign began with a 1-1 draw against Kuwait, followed by a stunning 2-1 win over Qatar, the defending Asian Cup champions. In the final group match, a hard-fought 1-1 draw against the UAE saw Oman finish at the top of the group, tied on points with Kuwait but edging out the hosts on disciplinary points. The Red Warriors, currently ranked 80th in the FIFA standings, will take on a Saudi Arabia squad ranked 59th and coming off a dominant 3-1 victory over Iraq.
The match is expected to be a thrilling contest, and with the added boost from their loyal fans, Oman’s hopes of reaching a third Gulf Cup final are very much alive.
Final moved to January 4
Meanwhile, teams will have an extra day to prepare for the summit clash in the Gulf Cup after the semifinal matches on Tuesday.
On Sunday, the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) confirmed the decision to move the final from the originally scheduled date of January 3 to January 4, giving teams’ additional time to prepare.
In a statement, the chairman of the AGCFF Competitions’ Committee, Khaled Al Muqren, said the postponement was based on “convincing reasons,” but the semi-final dates will remain unchanged.
The second semi-final will be also on Tuesday, with Kuwait facing Bahrain at 9:45 pm.
As the countdown to the semi-finals begins, the question on every Omani fan’s mind is whether the Red Warriors can carry the weight of their supporters’ hopes and secure a place in the final.
With fans flying in droves to support the team, it’s clear that the spirit of the nation is behind them.
