(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Oman coach Paul Le Guen is targeting nothing short of three points with a win against Turkmenistan when the two teams clash in a Group D 2018 World Cup qualifier at the Seeb Sports Stadium on Thursday evening. The match kicks off at 7pm.
The Frenchman said on Wednesday that Oman is going into the match as the favourites with the Red Warriors playing their first home game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Oman players train ahead of their 2018 World Cup qualifier against Turkmenistan on Wednesday
'Each game in the World Cup qualifiers is important. We have to make sure that we don't drop points at home' said Le Guen.
Oman is ranked 99th in the world while its opponent is placed a lowly 149th. Thursday's contest will be the first ever qualifying match between the sides.
'We know we are the favourites but we have to be cautious against Turkmenistan who surprised us all with a 1-1 draw in their home game against Iran' said the Oman coach.
Le Guen said Oman's recent 1-0 friendly win at home against Yemen served as key preparation for Thursday's qualifier.
'It was vital to have a good game before we played Turkmenistan. I was able to have a good look at the boys in hot conditions.
The temperatures have since come down but the Yemen friendly was very useful' the Oman coach said.
Oman striker Imad al Hosni (left) in action during the 1-0 win in the recent friendly match against Yemen in Muscat (V K Shafeer/Muscat Daily)
Oman began its Group D campaign with a 2-1 win over hosts India in Bengaluru on June 11 and a win against the Turks will put it on top of the group.
The coach said he expects his strikers to fire though poor finishing has marred Oman's recent performances.
He said 'I don't have a miracle solution the only thing is that they need to work hard. We have a good team of strikers in Imad al Hosni Abdulaziz al Miqbali Saud al Farsi and Salim al Ruzaiqi. Imad didn't have a good run of games last season and it affected his form. But he is regaining his touch and I am happy with him. On his day he can be a very good striker.'
The coach hinted that there may not be a lot of changes from the combination that played against India.
The defence is likely to be marshalled by Mohammed al Mussallami Abdulsalam Amour Saad Suhail and Ali al Busaidy while the midfield is expected to be manned by Ahmed Mubarak 'Kanu' Eid al Farsi Raeed Ibrahim and either Mohsin Jawhar or Qasim Said. Imad and Abdulaziz may start upfront.
With goalkeeper and skipper Ali al Habsi now a regular starter for his club Reading in the English Championship the 33 year old hopes to make his presence felt on Thursday.
Habsi recently shrugged off criticism that a communication gap between him and the Oman defenders has been causing lapses in his performance under the bar.
Turkmenistan coach Kochumov Amanklych (left) with captain Atayev Ali al Habsi Ahmed at a press meet on Wednesday
Le Guen backed his captain when asked about it and said 'it was not a major concern' but he added that it could happen as Habsi doesn't play with the Oman team on a regular basis.
The Oman coach said the two back-to-back games are crucial in the team's march in the qualification process referring to Thursday's contest and the one at Guam on September 8.
'We need to get the maximum points from both the upcoming games. We know it's going to be tough after a long trip to Guam soon after tomorrow's game. There won't be much recovery time for our players for the match in Guam but we have to cope with it' he said.
Le Guen is hoping that a packed stadium at Seeb will spur the players to go all out in their first home game of the 2018 qualifying campaign.
'OPL delay a concern' The long interval for the national team players who mostly ply their trade in the domestic Omantel Professional League (OPL) has been a concern for Le Guen.
'Ideally I wouldn't have liked the players to have a long gap between the end and the start of the domestic season' he said.The OPL concluded in May and the new season is expected to begin on September 13.
Le Guen said 'It is beyond my control and as I have said before I think the gap has to be reduced.'
'Tough to beat Oman' Terming Thursday's game against hosts Oman as a tough challenge Turkmenistan coach Kochumov Amanklych said his team is nevertheless ready for the challenge. 'Oman is a strong side but we have had good preparations and we will be up for the contest' said Amanklych.
The Turkmenistan team camped in UAE for a week and played a friendly game against a local club as part of its build-up for the Oman game.
Turkmenistan captain Atayev Ahmed said his players are ready to play in Muscat's hot and sultry conditions. 'The weather is not going to be a factor in tomorrow's match' he said.
Meanwhile surprise Group D leader Guam travels to Tehran with two victories from two matches but Iran presents Guam a much tougher test than its opening games against Turkmenistan and India. The Pacific Islanders lost 0-19 when they last met Iran in a competitive game 15 years ago.
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