Oman Coach Sektioui Urges Patience After Gulf Cup Exit

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 5, 2026

Oman’s national football team was defeated 1-0 by the United Arab Emirates in the semifinal of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, ending their run before the final against Saudi Arabia. Despite the loss, coach Tarik Sektioui highlighted the tournament’s value for developing younger players and emphasized ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the team for future competitions.

Oman’s national football team was eliminated from the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup after a 1-0 semifinal loss to the United Arab Emirates on Saturday night at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City. The defeat ended Oman's hopes of reaching the final against hosts Saudi Arabia, scheduled for October 6.

The United Arab Emirates took the lead in the 22nd minute when Othman Camara headed home a cross from Mamadou Coulibaly. Oman responded quickly, coming close to an equalizer just two minutes later when Amjad al Harthi’s shot was cleared off the line by UAE defender Lucas Pimenta. The Red Warriors continued to seek an equalizer in the second half, but were unable to break down a disciplined Emirati defense.

Oman’s goalkeeper Ibrahim al Mukhaini played a crucial role in keeping his team in contention, producing several key saves. He denied a penalty taken by Nicolas Gimenez in the 56th minute, awarded after a foul on Luan Pereira, and later stopped an attempt by Caio Canedo in the 71st minute.

Following the match, Omani head coach Tarik Sektioui, who took charge of the team in March, urged patience and stressed the importance of building for the future. Sektioui acknowledged the team’s efforts but said they could not overcome a well-organized opponent. “We played a good match, but we were unable to come back against a strong and organised opponent,” he said. He expressed disappointment over the exit but highlighted the challenges faced by the squad.

Despite the defeat, Sektioui emphasized the value gained from the tournament as a preparation platform for upcoming competitions, noting the experience was particularly beneficial for younger players. Oman’s campaign had been marked by resilience, including a 3-1 comeback win over Kuwait that secured their semifinal spot. The team advanced partly due to a draw of lots, after finishing level on points with Iraq, illustrating the narrow margins involved in their progress.

Sektioui also reiterated his openness to selecting any players who demonstrate sufficient quality, signaling ongoing adjustments to strengthen the squad in the long term. “We have plenty of time to work on correcting our mistakes. Changes involving some players were necessary for the future of Omani football,” he said.

Looking ahead, the coach called for continued patience and dedication from everyone involved in Omani football. “I always say that we must be patient, and patient again, if we want to build a strong and competitive national team,” Sektioui concluded.

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