Oman confident of victory

With just a day left for the crucial and exciting 2014 World Cup qualifying game between Oman and Japan to be held at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex tomorrow, Oman Football Association (OFA) chairman Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi has expressed his confidence in the team. Speaking to Times Sport yesterday, Sayyid Khalid said the team is all geared-up to face the Blue Samurai. "We are ready for the game and we will win it too,- he said. The charismatic OFA chief also said that playing on home ground will give the required advantage. "Playing in home ground will give us the advantage we need. Our team is determined to present a great game and maintain the positive trend of the last three official games,- Sayyid Khalid said. The match has already attracted the fans, thanks to the Red Warriors victory against Jordan in their previous match. "There has been a great demand for this match and we are getting calls from fans asking for tickets. That is something that motivates our team,- he said. When asked if the players are under pressure after their loss to Estonia in the friendly played in Muscat last week, Sayyid Khalid had this to say: "Defeats are part of the game. It was more of a testing match for our coach. He wanted to play some of the reserves and see how they perform but the wave was not in our favour. That is an old chapter and I am sure our players have moved on from that. They are all set for the match against Japan,- he said. According to Sayyid Khalid, the 'timing of the match' will also help the Omani team. "The match as you know will be played at 3:30pm and given the expected temperature at that time, I think it could be tough for Japan,- he said. However, heaping praise on the Asia champions, Sayyid Khalid also cautioned the Paul Le Guen coached side not to get carried away. "Japan is a world class team and they have almost secured the qualification and I think they will take it easy with us but our players should not get carried away by that,- he noted. Japan are leading Asian Group B with 10 points from three wins over Oman, Jordan and Iraq and a draw with Australia. Japan beat Oman 3-0 at home in June. Oman and Australia are level on five points with Jordan trailing them on four points and Iraq on two. "I think they need only few more points to qualify which they can easily secure playing a home game in Japan. But a win can help us boost our chances to qualify for the World Cup,- he said Sayyid Khalid said he is meeting the players on a 'daily basis' and they are all focused for the game. "Now the focus is on the game. I hope it will be a full-house like the match against Jordan. I request everyone to turn-up and support the team. Your support is what matters to us,- he added. Meanwhile, the 23-man Japanese squad led by their Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni arrived in Muscat last night. Times Of Oman