Oman eye victory against Kuwait

Doha, Qatar: Reigning Gulf Cup champions will have their task cut out when they take on Kuwait in their second match in Group B on Saturday.

Oman were held to a goalless draw against Bahrain and can't afford another slip-up.

“We will try to win the match against Kuwait. There are no excuses in football and we will prepare well with the circumstances. We know how strong Kuwait is and what they did against Saudi Arabia, they deserve respect,” said Oman coach Erwin Koeman.

The Dutchman said Oman played a good game against Bahrain.

“I re-watched the match against Bahrain and studied where we played a good 75 minutes, after that there was a little retreat, but we came out with a point,” he said. “Some people do not understand that Bahrain are a good team and have recently achieved some positive results in the World Cup and Asian qualifiers.”

Kuwait, meanwhile, can take a significant step toward the semifinals with a victory against Oman, whom coach Thamer Enad said were the top favourites.

“The match against Oman is no less important than the Saudi clash,” the coach of the 10-time champions said. “In my opinion Oman are among top favourites to win the cup. They have a very strong side.”

“We have played well recently and I hope we will be one step ahead against Oman also,” he said.