Nine players down, big test up: Oman aims to stun Morocco in the Arab Cup
4 December 2025
Ahead of the Morocco clash
Oman head coach Carlos Queiroz says his squad is ready to face Morocco on Friday in the Arab Cup group stage in Qatar, expressing happiness with participation through December 18.
He noted Morocco's high quality and added that Oman must keep working to improve itself.
He says they were solid defensively in their opening match against Saudi Arabia despite the loss, and that they now know exactly what to do tomorrow, with some rotation possible.
Outlook, injuries and squad rotation
Queiroz emphasized the need to stay positive, organized, and disciplined, especially with nine players set to miss action. Losing nearly nine players is tough, but it gives the team a chance to test new elements.
He stressed belief and resilience to handle big games, noting that the Morocco match is not only about three points but to map the path ahead. We will give everything tomorrow to win.
From the Oman camp
Abdullah Fawaz described the meeting as important and difficult, confirming readiness after solid preparation and saying that there is no option but to secure a positive result.
He added that Oman aims to compete for a full points haul, playing with greater focus and fewer mistakes; the team that errs least will be closest to victory.
In the first round, Oman lost 1-2 to Saudi Arabia, while Morocco defeated Comoros 3-1 in the same group.
As the coach and players prepare, fans are hoping for a breakthrough performance despite the challenges.
Punchline 1: If nine missing players turn into a tactical advantage, call it bench-press victory—it's all about the drama on the touchline.
Punchline 2: In football, they say it's a game of inches; with this many substitutions, we're playing a game of meters—and somehow still aiming for the net.
