Muscat: After a 1-1 draw with Kuwait in their opener, Oman sits with just one point and aims to bounce back with a win. The task is far from easy, as Qatar, who also drew 1-1 with the UAE, are equally determined to secure their first victory.

The stakes couldn’t be higher, with both teams evenly matched and in need of a strong performance to stay in contention for the next stage. As the match approaches, experts are weighing in with their thoughts on what Oman needs to do to take the win.

Salem Al-Ghailani, sports journalist, stressed the importance of maintaining team unity and organization in the absence of key players like Salah Al-Yahyaei. “The national team must adopt an organizational approach that ensures the continuity of collective performance,” he said.

Emirati sports journalist Ahmed Al-Hawri highlighted the broader pressure on teams in the region. “The federations are caught between the Gulf Cup and World Cup qualifiers. If there wasn’t a round in March, we would have been facing a real guillotine for coaches,” he noted.

Saeed Al-Hindasi, another sports journalist, echoed the sentiments of Captain Rashid Jaber, stating that the game against Qatar would be crucial. “The biggest bet now is on the players’ performance, and the match against Qatar will be the real start for Oman,” he added.