MUSCAT: An Arabic hashtag #ResignSalimAlWahaibi is trending on social media with angry football fans in the country calling for the ouster of Oman Football Association Chairman Salim Al Wahaibi and coach Branko Ivankovic following the team’s dismal performance in the ongoing AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.
On Sunday, the crucial Oman-Thailand match which ended in a goalless draw further dented the Red Warriors’ hopes in the Asian Cup. Oman lost their opening game to three time champions Saudi Arabia.
Prominent Qatar commentator Yousuf Saif said: “The situation of the Omani national team is very strange. Where is the team that competed in the World Cup qualifiers? Where is the team that embarrassed the German team a few days before the World Cup? I am very surprised by the way this team has declined,” he said.
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Meanwhile, Salim Al Habsi, a well-known Omani football commentator said OFA must search for a new coach. “Branko must go. The Oman Football Association must search for a new coach. Is it possible for him (Branko) to remain a coach for four years without offensive solutions?,” Al Habsi said in an interview with Shabiba FM.
However, leading sports commentator Khamis Al Balushi opined that it is not “easy for OFA” to terminate the contract of Branko. “If Branko wants to leave, he has to pay half a million dollars and if OFA wants to terminate the contract, they have to pay advance three salaries to the coach.
Personally, I do not think that either party wants to terminate the contract before it expires,” he wrote on X.
