MUSCAT: Carlos Queiroz will take charge of Oman’s national football team for the crucial fourth round of the AFC qualifiers in October, where the team will face Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in Group A. Known for his stints with Real Madrid and as an assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, Queiroz brings decades of international coaching experience, having managed Portugal, South Africa, Colombia, and Iran. His appointment has been met with praise from sports analysts and former players, who see his knowledge of Gulf football and proven record in World Cup qualifiers as significant assets. However, experts also stress that success will depend on the time and resources given to implement his vision before the decisive matches.
Sports analyst Hilal bin Hamad Al Mukhaini highlighted Queiroz’s impressive résumé and international expertise, calling the signing an important step for Oman’s football ambitions. He acknowledged the coach’s familiarity with teams in the group, noting that his prior experience in similar competitive environments could be a decisive advantage. At the same time, Al Mukhaini warned of challenges, including the need to quickly raise players’ technical and physical readiness, which is currently limited by the quality of local competitions and training programmes. The analyst emphasised that swift player adaptation to the new system would be essential, as the schedule leaves no room for delays.
Former Oman international Fawzi Bashir welcomed the move, noting Queiroz’s understanding of Gulf football culture and his leadership qualities. He pointed to Queiroz’s success in leading Iran to multiple World Cup finals and his previous work with Gulf teams as factors that could help Oman compete effectively against regional rivals. Bashir stressed that qualification would require a coordinated effort from the coaching staff, administrators, media, fans, and most importantly, the players. He expressed confidence that the players are aware of the responsibility on their shoulders and will rise to the challenge.
Sports journalist Walid bin Zaher Al-Abri noted that Queiroz’s arrival follows a period of concerning performances, including a 3-0 defeat to Kyrgyzstan — Oman’s heaviest qualifying loss since 2001. While praising Queiroz’s global experience, Al-Abri pointed out that the Omani league’s suspension, high average player age, and the coach’s defensive style could pose challenges. He expressed hope that the upcoming Central Asian Championship, preceded by a training camp in Turkey starting August 20, would help solidify the starting lineup. National coach Nasser bin Mohammed Al Hajri echoed the belief that Queiroz is the right choice for this stage, citing his technical knowledge and regional familiarity, while also stressing the importance of local assistant coach Hamad Al Azani in helping him identify the best squad for the high-stakes qualifiers beginning October 8 against Qatar.
