Sharjah: Ahmed Mubarak has admitted that lifting the Gulf Cup just over a year ago has given Oman confidence going into the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 as the West Asians prepare for their opening Group F game against Uzbekistan on Wednesday.



Oman claimed the regional title at the beginning of 2018 by defeating neighbours the United Arab Emirates on penalties in the final after earlier qualifying for their fourth AFC Asian Cup in five editions.

They now head into their Group F opener against the Uzbeks at Sharjah Stadium looking to make it out of the group stage for the first time following first round exits in 2004, 2007 and 2015.



“Winning the Gulf Cup has given all the players a lot of motivation and it was great for the team,” said Mubarak, who, like his country, will be appearing in his fourth AFC Asian Cup.

“All the players are confident and know the importance of this tournament. The Asian Cup is a higher level than the Gulf Cup and the teams are stronger but we are ready for the games ahead.”

Mubarak made his debut on the continental stage as a teenager in China in 2004 when Oman claimed four points from three games and were unlucky to exit at the first hurdle.

In 2007 the West Asians were eliminated without a win, before they returned in 2015 in Australia where, following defeats to eventual finalists the hosts and Korea Republic, they rounded off their campaign by beating Kuwait.

Wednesday’s match with Uzbekistan will be the first time the sides have met in the competition and Oman will be desperate to get points on the board ahead of a tough Matchday Two with Japan and their final group game against Turkmenistan.

“We have to work hard in the match because Uzbekistan are a very good team,” added Mubarak. “We are ready for our first game and all our players are feeling confident.

“We have been preparing for this tournament for a long time and we will fight to give everything we have.

“As I said, we will have to work very hard and give everything we have to get three points in all our matches.”


Source: the-afc.com