Oman dedicate Asian beach soccer title to Sultan Qaboos bin Said

Oman, the newly crowned Asian beach soccer champions, returned to a hero's welcome on Sunday with the Oman Football Association (OFA) and the members of the team dedicating the title to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

The team emerged the continental champions with a 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Japan in the final of the Asian championship in Doha on Saturday. Both the finalists and third placed Iran also booked their berths at the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup to be hosted in Portugal in July this year.

The victorious team, coach Talib Hilal Al Thanawi and his support staff were received at the Muscat International Airport by the OFA chairman Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi and other officials as well as the representatives from the Ministry of Sports Affairs.

Speaking on the occasion, OFA chief dedicated the team's Asian title to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said while thanking his government for the continued support to Omani youth and sports.

Sayyid Khalid also said the association and the entire country are proud of the team's achievement and delighted with the success which is 'first among Arab countries'.

Oman captain Hani Al Dhabit, meanwhile, credited the success to team work. "Obviously it was very satisfying to come back with as Asian champions. We have played some very tough matches and in the final we have overcome  a strong Japan side," he said.

The Omani skipper, who have been in fine touch scoring a goal in all most all the matches, said: "The secret of our success is team work. I think we have been were confident because of the backing we have been receiving.

We are thankful to the support we have been receiving from His Majesty's government."

Great weekend
Meanwhile, OFA Acting General Secretary Sultan Al Zadjali in a statement said 'this weekend saw a huge amount of positive football activity take place in and outside Oman'. He hoped it is a sign of more success to come.

"The weekend started with Oman national team routing visiting Malaysia 6-0 at the Seeb Sports Stadium on Thursday," the statement said.

"A day later a workshop with the Omantel Professional League clubs saw a number of positive actions agreed for the planning of the next season. The Oman beach soccer team clinched a berth in the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup en route to their Asian championships title in Doha.

"Finally, the weekend was completed with a very positive AGM that saw a more unified approach being adopted between the clubs and the OFA."

Al Zadjali heaped praise on all who had contributed to these successes.

"We achieved a lot during this weekend and it was very enjoyable to see so much good happen in such a short space of time. Often, our achievements are not seen or recognised. But I wanted to say how proud I am of all the staff, players and coaches who work so hard to drive Oman football forward.

"There is lots of challenges ahead of us, and our aspirations are very high. So success will not always be achieved. However, the strategy and leadership shown by OFA chief Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi and the efforts of the board members are definitely leading us forward, and I am sure that there is more positive news to come for the OFA in the months ahead."