Pim Verbeek returns to the pinnacle of Asian football, with a point to a prove. After a tarnished experience as coach of South Korea and Australia, the Dutchman guides his Oman side to the UAE in good form off the back of their Gulf Cup triumph in January. While the tactics remain typical of Verbeek’s career to date, the success keeps rolling on in, all withstanding his inevitable critics.
The story of Oman’s qualification campaign was one of managerial upheaval. Frenchman Paul Le Guen faced the (long overdue) chop after a miserable start to World Cup qualification saw them lag behind Iran in the chase for progression, drawing away to Guam, and losing to Turkmenistan.
He left with his reputation in tatters, with his former employers sticking the boot in on the way out, stating nothing had been achieved over his four years in the hot seat. His replacement, Juan Ramon Lopez Caro lasted less than a year of little competitive action, before parting ways ahead of the final stage of Asian Cup qualification.
In came Verbeek. A man with a long history of defensive, dated tactics mixed in with a great amount of mistrust from Asian football observers. While his cautious approach endeared little neutral fans, Verbeek to his credit has a successful track record during his time in international football; guiding South Korea to third place at the Asian Cup, before qualifying Australia for their first World Cup under the AFC system. In terms of results, the coach met his requirements.
Since taking over Oman, results have been promising; sailing through the last round of qualification (albeit against modest opposition) before clinching Oman’s very first Gulf Cup title on foreign soil. The campaign in Kuwait last winter, couldn’t have fallen nicer for Verbeek if he’d have planned it. A cautious tournament on the whole, with little in the way of attacking exuberance from any side, Oman snuck out the group, to go on to win on penalties in the final against the UAE, scoring only four goals throughout, but crucially conceding only the once.
In the lead up to the Asian Cup since, Oman have stuck to their solid defensive shape and rarely allowed themselves overexertion going forward. In the eight friendly matches to date, they’ve won three, and drawn five, scoring only seven, but typically picking up four clean sheets. Under Le Guen, Oman were an erratic side, who for too long looked a work in progress. With Verbeek, this team is as predictable as it gets.
With it, expectations are clear. Oman have never progressed out of the group stage of the Asian Cup, so given the number of progression spots on offer to make the second round has increased with the tournament’s expansion, sneaking through in second or third spot in the group is a realistic ambition. Facing off against Uzbekistan and Japan, in their first two match ups, it would be foolish to expect anything more than a defensive setup from the first minute. Against Japan, it wouldn’t be out of the question for Verbeek to set up merely to manage the goal difference.
The true test of this side’s credentials will be when they are forced to attack. Their final group stage encounter against Turkmenistan, the very opponents that saw the eventual demise of Le Guen, offers the opportunity for Oman to chase the pursuit of progression. The side still possess some experienced attacking options, the likes of Ahmed Kano, Raheem Ibrahim Saleh and Abdul Aziz Al-Muqbali are all tried and tested options in the international football.
The emergence of centre forward Khalid Al-Hajri however, looks to be the most interesting of selections. Given his recent form (scoring 7 in Asian Cup qualification), the Muscat based striker has found a new lease of life under Verbeek. His ability to run the channels and track back if required makes him the perfect man for the system deployed, yet his goal scoring, often from nothing will mark him as a player to watch.
The biggest limitation of this current crop is that of youth, or a lack of emerging stars. The core of the squad has been in the mix for the last couple of cycles, headed by four of the back five that played at the last Asian Cup, including Ali Al-Habsi, the veteran keeper. Failing competition for positions, the squad could look a bit stagnant, in tight or frustrating encounters. How the manager chooses to use the likes of Al-Muqbali (who is likely to start on the bench from the off), or Muhsen Al-Ghassani, the brightest young player Oman can call upon, may be key in how things swing for Verbeek.
Much of the spotlight will be on the coach, but given Oman’s mediocre past, especially in the Asian Cup, a functional, well oiled system over necessarily a pretty one can’t be sniffed at. With a wealth of experience across the side, it’s hard to see a real surprise run in this tournament, however a frustrating 0-0 draw here or there might well become the unpopular story of the Asian Cup. Will Verbeek leave with a wry smile on his face, I wonder.
Key Men
Head Coach - Pim Verbeek (NED)
Vastly experienced Dutch coach, who took up the reigns of Oman at the start of Asian Cup qualification after two years away from the game. Often criticised throughout his career for deploying conservative football, Verbeek can point to leading South Korea to third place in 2007’s Asian Cup, Australia to their first World Cup via AFC qualification and Oman to Gulf Cup triumph last winter.
Star Player - Ali Al-Habsi
Legendary goalkeeper who has a cult following in English football, playing an instrumental part in Wigan Athletic’s success in the Premier League. Now at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, he’s playing at the peak of the Asian game, while likely to skipper Oman in his last major tournament, what would be his fourth Asian Cup campaign.
Under Pressure - Raed Ibrahim Saleh
Long tipped as his country’s most talented attacking talent. One of only a few players to break Europe but has failed to live up to the hype when called upon, often fading out to the periphery in key matches. Now entering his peak years, Saleh remains a catalyst in any hopes of success his side has.
Young Prospect - Muhsen Al-Ghassani
Promising striker, who has started to feature off the bench for Oman of late, after a lively start to his club career with Omani champions Al-Suwaiq. A languid looking striker, but has the ability to link up with others, and provide an alternative to the more experienced Al-Haijri and Al-Muqbali in attack.
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