How Omanian Media PREDICT the match

By A Seshagiri Rao
MUSCAT — It's a foregone conclusion. Oman, in all probability, are expected to record a crushing victory over visiting Nepal in the first of the double-leg Asian zone preliminary qualifier for the 2010 Fifa World Cup at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex (SQSC) tonight. The match will kick off at 9.30 pm. Though there are no prizes for guessing the outcome of the match, what will be interesting for an average fan, is the margin of victory the hosts will achieve against lowly ranked visitors. And if they go by the history, they can expect their national heroes to emerge victors by at least half a dozen goals, if not more. Back in 2002 when the two teams clashed in the qualifiers of the 2004 World Cup, the Omanis thumped Nepal in both home-and-away matches by 7-0 and 6-0 margins respectively.

But Oman's coach Gabriel Calderon, though confident of his team achieving a good result, is refusing to predict the scoreline. "No I don't want to predict the scoreline. That's being disrespectful to our opponents. We respect all the teams. And we should also remember that there are no weak teams in modern football, any team can perform well on a given day," the Argentine said. Calderon, while admitting that he has little knowledge of Nepal team, however, promised a good performance from his boys. "I know we are a much better team. I have full confidence in my boys and they will definitely achieve a good result tomorrow," two-time World Cup winner Calderon said.

"I have also mentally prepared my boys for this match. I told them to take the rivals seriously and not to be complacent but to give their 100 per cent." The Argentine also termed the match as a very important match. "Personally it's a very important match for me. This is the first time Oman will be playing a competitive match in Oman under my coaching. ''It is also an important match because it's our first match of the World Cup qualifiers and we must make a good beginning to achieve our future goals," he said. "I can promise that we will deliver a good gift to the Omani people by making a flying start to our campaign in the World Cup qualifiers."

AT HELM: Nepal’s coach Shyam Singh Thapa (left) and Oman’s Gabriel Calderon

INSPIRATION FROM RECENT RESULTS
Nepal, despite their lowly ranked status, have arrived here with more confidence than expected after their recent success in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President's Cup held in Pakistan. The Nepalis, who are coached by former India stalwart Shyam Singh Thapa, will take inspiration from their second-place finish in Pakistan. Their coach and newly appointed skipper Rakesh Shrestha have promised to give a good fight in today's match. "We have a mix of experience and youth. And I am confident all our players will give their 100 per cent against Oman," captain Rakesh told Nepali media before leaving for Oman.

Coach Shyam Thapa, who coached India's East Bengal Club and Indian youth team in the past, also promised a tough fight from his wards. "Oman are a better team, no doubt about that. But this time around, our players are physically fit and mentally tough. I am sure they can give a good fight against Oman," said Shyam, who was a member of the Indian team that won the bronze medal in the 1970 Asian Cup in Thailand.

SULTANATE TO MISS BADR AL MAIMANI
But what kind of fight the Nepalis will put up depends on whether the aggressive Omanis will allow them any time or space to launch their own attacks. However, the visitors can take comfort from the fact the hosts will be short of one experienced attacking midfielder in the form of injured Badr Mubarak al Maimani. With the exception of Badr, who has also successfully played in the forwardline in the past, Oman will be at full strength with the availability of all professional players, including Bolton Wanderers' goalkeeper Ali al Habsi. "Ali is arriving tomorrow morning from UK and we will definitely play him against Nepal," said Calderon. "And all other professional players who are playing in the other Gulf countries are available for the match."

Asked whether the team will miss the services of Badr, the Argentine said: "Unfortunately Badr is out with an injury. But we have bench strength to overcome that problem." Calderon also revealed his plan to include two newcomers in the starting line-up today while refusing to name the players. It may be mentioned that Oman's coach had tried several new players in the recent friendlies played against Qatar and Maldives. Calderon, however, refused to divulge his tactics for the defensive minded Nepalis. Further pressed to reveal the system he prefers, he said: "May be 3-4-3 or 3-4-1-2. But it's modern football. ''We cannot stick to one format. We need to change the format according to the situation and the kind of rivals we play."

While Ali al Habsi is a certain to guard the Oman citadel, newcomer Mohammed al Sheeba may find a place alongside experienced Khalifa Ayil and Mohammed Rabee'a in defence. Ahmed Hadeed, Ahmed Mubarak 'Kanu', Hassan Mudhaffar and Fauzi Basheer are also certainties in the midfield. But it remains to be seen whom Calderon will pick to play alongside Imaad al Hosni from the trio of Mohammed Mubarak, Younus al Mushaifri, Ismail al Ajmi in the forwardline. Calderon's counterpart had already talked of adapting a defensive 5-4-1 format for the match. "We had not played against strong teams during our preparations. So it is difficult to judge which system is good for us. So we will be playing defensive game and look for counter attacks," Shyam Thapa said. The return-leg match is scheduled to be played in Nepal's capital city of Kathmandu on October 28.

FABULOUS PRIZES FOR LOCAL SUPPORTERS
Meanwhile, the Oman Football Association (OFA) has announced several fabulous prizes to be given away to the supporters at the SQSC. The winners will be decided after a raffle draw. Prizes include ten air tickets to destinations like Bangkok, Mumbai, Cairo and Bahrain, ten Bank Sohar accounts worth RO 100 each, and ten fuel cards from Shell worth RO 100 each. Oman (from): Ali al Habsi, Suleiman al Shukaili; Mohammed al Quwaidi, Mohammed Rabee'a, Issam Fayil, Mohammed al Sheeba, Ahmed Salim, Khalifa Ayil, Mohammed al Shamsi, Mohammed al Ghassani, Ahmed Hadeed, Younus Mubarak, Ahmed Mubarak 'Kanu', Hussain al Hadhri, Hassan Mudhaffar, Nabeel Ashoor, Ahmed Mara'a, Fauzi Basheer; Mohammed Mubarak, Imaad al Hosni, Younus al Mushaifri, Ismail al Ajmi. Coach: Gabriel Calderon (Argentina).

Nepal (from): Bikash Malla, Ritesh Thapa; Rakesh Shrestha, Anjan K C, Sagar Thapa, Chun Bahadur Thapa, Sanjib Budathoki, Lok Bandhu Gurung, Tashi Tsering, Pradeep Maharjan, Sandip Rai; Bishow Bairag Samal, Nabin Neupane, Rajesh Khadagi, Raju Tamang, Vishad Gouchan (Thakali); Nirajan Rayamajhi, Anil Gurung, Ju Manu Rai Santosh Shahukhala. Coach: Shayam Singh Thapa (India).
Match referee: Fareed Ali Mohammed al Marzouqi (UAE). Assistant referees: Eisa Ghuloum, Mohammed al Mehairi (UAE). Fourth official: Ala Abdulkadir Nema (Iraq). Match commissioner: Toufik Sarhan (Syria).