Muscat – Oman will take on Australia in a decisive round of AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar Group B at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Tuesday. The match kicks off at 8pm.

Branko Ivankovic, national team coach who took up the job in January 2020, said in a pre-match conference on Monday, “Tuesday’s match is very important for the two teams. We must win if we want to proceed to the World Cup qualifying playoffs.”

The task to overcome the tough Aussies seems difficult with Ivankovic revealing that seven national players will be absent due to infection with COVID-19.

Ahmed al Khamisi, national team player, said, “The match against Australia will be tough and decisive. We will play with the aim of winning and getting three points.”

Analysing the situation, Ali al Sheyadi, former player and captain of Suwaiq’s Muntaser Club, said, “The match will not be easy because the Omani team has played seven matches – won in two matches against Japan and Vietnam, drew with China and lost in four; once against Japan and Australia and twice against Saudi Arabia. I expect the match against Australia on Tuesday to be hard-fought. The Omani team must win to be able to achieve the dream of reaching the World Cup in Qatar.”

Oman is currently in fourth place in Group B with seven points. Australia is placed third, Japan is second, and Saudi Arabia first.

Oman will aim for the third place at the end of the qualifiers by winning all its remaining three games. Oman has seven points, while the Australian team has 14 points.