Hockey: Oman to play five matches against Pakistan A squad ahead of Asia Cup

As part of their preparations for the AHF Hero Asia Cup, Oman hockey team will play five ‘Test’ matches against visiting Pakistan development squad (Pakistan A) next month.

Coach K.K. Poonacha has called up 28 probables for the second of the two domestic training camps which began at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Monday.

Speaking to Times Sport after the first day of the camp, Poonacha revealed that Oman Hockey Association (OHA) has arranged five matches against Pakistan A side.

“The current camp will run till the end of this month. During these ten days we will assess the players and at the end of the camp will trim the squad to 22 players.”

“The selected 22 will gather again for another camp after Eid Al Adha holidays,” he said.

The Indian, who is in his third stint as the coach of Oman national team, added: “That camp will run from September 6 to 16. During that camp we will be playing five Test matches against Pakistan Development Team starting with the first match on September 9.”

Oman team’s goalkeeper coach Shakir Munir said the current probables group comprises four goalkeepers - Khalid Ali Al Qasmi of Ahli-Sidab, Fahad Khamis Al Nofli of Al Nasr, Amjad Abdullah Al Hosni of Bausher and Ibrahim Nasser Al Farsi of Sohar.

“When the team is pruned to 22, we will be selecting two goalkeepers who will travel with the team to our external camp and the Asia Cup,” he said.

Meanwhile, Poonacha also revealed OHA’s plans to arrange an external training camp ahead of Asia Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Bangladesh from October 11 to 22.

“The plan is to have the players train outside Oman before we reach Dhaka for the Asia Cup. We will be camping either in Malaysia or India,” he said.

Focus on the game

Speaking about the competition in Asia Cup, where Oman are placed in Pool B along with South Korea, China and Malaysia, Poonacha said: “There are no easy groups at this level. Our team is good. But the players have to focus on the game and keep improving. I am sure they will give their best in the Asia Cup.”

Pool A comprises India, Pakistan, Japan and hosts Bangladesh.