When Oman shone with silver at Singapore
Oman is the top team in the lower half of the six-team pool here in the Hockey World League, and they are so in the Asian hockey hierchy too. They are 36th in the global ranking
However, when they train well, get opportunities they prove their worth. One such occasion was AHF Cup in 2008. The event was conceived to provide exposure to needy countries and also qualifiers for the Asia Cup and Asian Games.
That time in Singapore Oman won the Silver, and the sequence is as follows:
Oman hockey team was its good form when it took the field in the Asian Hockey Federation Cup in 2008. It had just acquired a foreign import in Alan Sinclair as coach.
Oman, led by Al Shibli Samir — who is at present in Delhi to take part in the ongoing Hockey World League Round 2 – the team was in Pool B with Sri Lanka, Hong Kong China and Thailand.
Oman started their campaign well against Sri Lanka, a regular in the Asia Cups unlike Oman which often misses out every continental tournament , striking four goals within 45 minutes. However, it caved in thereafter to conceded three goal, but gained full points in the end.
Next was Hong Kong China, a side full of Indian origin players. Oman won 3-2. The last goal it conceded was struck in the last minute.
Oman faced Thailand, which surprisingly offered good resistance. In fact, Oman was trialing 1-2 till the 52nd minute. Bait Jindal struck to equalize and then another goal three minutes before the hooter gave a false indication that the match was one-sided.
With all win record, Oman faced the hosts Singapore in the semifinal.
Oman, as happened in the first two matches, built up good lead 2-0 within 14 minutes, and without comfortably sailed into the semis. Singapore’s lone goal came a minute before the hooter.
Final was an anticlimax for Oman, losing to Bangladesh 1-6.
However, the Silver, that came in long time, turned out to be the silver lining for the country which is passionate about football.
Four members of the Silver Squad are here. They are Al Balushi Abdul Jabar, Al Saadi Salah Nasser, Al Shibli Samir Baliyas and Al Hasani Mahmood Salim.
SOME FACTS ABOUT PRESENT OMAN TEAM
CAPTAIN: Al Shilbi Samir Haliyas
MOST CAPPED PLAYER: Al Shilbi Samir Haliyas
LEAD GOALKEEPER: Al Balushi Abdul Jabar
COACH: Oliver Kurtz (Germany)
FIH RANKING: 36