Y - Issue 246 - November 27, 2012 - Y-oman.com

November 27, 2012 Issue 246
INTO THE BLUE OMAN VS ITALY
It’s a busy couple of months of football coming up
in Oman. On top of the local league there’s the West
Asian Championships taking place in Kuwait, the
AFC U-22 Asian Cup to be hosted in Oman itself, the
Gulf Cup, where Oman will be aiming to repeat their
tournament-winning run from 2009, a 2015 Asian
Cup qualifier against Syria and finally the crunch
World Cup qualifier against Australia. You can read
all about the busiest period in Omani football history
on page 36.
But the most exciting fixture this week is the chance
to see the Italian national team play in Muscat. True,
it’s the Italian under 22 team, but many of the squad
of players will no doubt pull on the famous blue shirt
of the Azzurri and represent the full senior team.
The Italian squad is stuffed full of players who are
learning their trade at Milan, Inter Milan and other
top European team. It is exactly the kind of tough
test that the Oman under 22 coach Philippe Burle
(pictured) needs ahead of the AFC U-22 Asian Cup.
Burle, a former French professional player, has
been charged with rebuilding the Under 22 team
after they came so close to qualifying for the 2012
Olympic Games in London. Under the guidance of
Paul Le Guen the team managed to get to a final
play-off match against Senegal in Coventry in
the United Kingdom. It had been a long, arduous
journey. The match was Oman’s fifth round of
qualification. It began with victories home and away
against Tajikistan and China, a group stage that saw
Oman beat Saudi Arabia and Qatar and finally an
exhausting, three-team tournament in Vietnam
against Uzbekistan and Syria that saw them come
out on top.
But the Senegal game was a step too far for Oman.
They lost 2-0 but have still emerged as one of
Asia’s best collection of young players. With home
advantage, and with a bit of luck, Oman could well
go far at the AFC U-22 Asian Cup next year. Italy
will be the toughest test yet. This is a squad that
could, in theory, call up the likes of Mario Balotelli
and Fabio Borini to play. It is, of course, unlikely the
Manchester City star nor the Liverpool striker will
be called up, but it goes to show the depth of talent
Italy has with its youngsters. Thursday’s match
should provide a good indication of both team’s
futures, and show Philippe Burle what he needs to
do if this young Omani squad is to win silverware on
home turf next year.
Oman Under 22 versus Italy Under 22, Thursday 29,
3.30pm, Seeb Stadium. Tickets on the door OR2, or
OR for VIP.
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