Not impossible to defeat Oman, says India coach Jamil
India will have to punch several times above its weight to edge past Oman and secure a third-place finish in the CAFA Nations Cup at the Hisor Central Stadium in Tajikistan on Monday.
Debutants India (133) are the lowest-ranked team in the competition, but a win against hosts Tajikistan in the opener meant they finished second in group B and qualified for the Playoff where they are drawn against Oman.
Ranked 79th in the world, Oman finished behind World Cuppers Uzbekistan on goal difference in group A.
“Oman is a good side, but we must think positive and get a good result,” Jamil told reporters during the pre-match media interaction on Sunday. “We must play this game with a positive mindset and win. Anything can happen in football.”
Oman, coached by Carlos Queiroz , are still in the race to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 .
In recent times, clashes between the two teams have been competitive but India have not had success. At home in Guwahati, the hosts came within eight minutes of a win in their opening 2022 World Cup qualifier, and within a few seconds of taking home a point.
The last clash in 2021, an international friendly in Dubai, ended 1-1, leaving India without a win against Oman in 10 matches so far.
“I believe in my players, 100%, no doubt about that. We know Oman is a tough team, but the task is not impossible. It is possible to win,” said Jamil.
For India to win, the attacking players will have to deliver. Jamil’s forwards have been found wanting in the last two games against Iran (3-0) and lowly Afghanistan (0-0), while the goals against Tajikistan were scored by defenders, both from set-pieces.
“It does not matter how you score, as long as you do well. Sometimes, you score from open play, while on other occasions, you score from set-pieces, it’s all a part of the game. What matters at the end of the day is that you get the results,” said the India coach.
Should the 90 minutes end in a stalemate, there will be extra time and, if needed, penalties. Jamil said his side was “ready for everything.”
Debutants India (133) are the lowest-ranked team in the competition, but a win against hosts Tajikistan in the opener meant they finished second in group B and qualified for the Playoff where they are drawn against Oman.
Ranked 79th in the world, Oman finished behind World Cuppers Uzbekistan on goal difference in group A.
“Oman is a good side, but we must think positive and get a good result,” Jamil told reporters during the pre-match media interaction on Sunday. “We must play this game with a positive mindset and win. Anything can happen in football.”
Oman, coached by Carlos Queiroz , are still in the race to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 .
In recent times, clashes between the two teams have been competitive but India have not had success. At home in Guwahati, the hosts came within eight minutes of a win in their opening 2022 World Cup qualifier, and within a few seconds of taking home a point.
The last clash in 2021, an international friendly in Dubai, ended 1-1, leaving India without a win against Oman in 10 matches so far.
“I believe in my players, 100%, no doubt about that. We know Oman is a tough team, but the task is not impossible. It is possible to win,” said Jamil.
For India to win, the attacking players will have to deliver. Jamil’s forwards have been found wanting in the last two games against Iran (3-0) and lowly Afghanistan (0-0), while the goals against Tajikistan were scored by defenders, both from set-pieces.
“It does not matter how you score, as long as you do well. Sometimes, you score from open play, while on other occasions, you score from set-pieces, it’s all a part of the game. What matters at the end of the day is that you get the results,” said the India coach.
Should the 90 minutes end in a stalemate, there will be extra time and, if needed, penalties. Jamil said his side was “ready for everything.”
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