A strong Oman side will put the Blue Tigers' preparations for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2019 to the test when the two sides face off in an international friendly on December 27 at Abu Dhabi. The match will particularly be important for the Indian squad as it will most likely be the final international friendly match the team will play before the AFC Asian Cup begins in January.

The Oman national football team, popularly known as Al-Ahmar or The Reds to fans, are currently ranked 82^nd in the FIFA Rankings -15 places above India (97). Blue Tigers' head coach Stephen Constantine, in a press conference, opined that the Oman match would be useful for his team to prepare for their AFC Asian Cup Group A matches against UAE and Bahrain, given the similarity in the styles deployed by the teams from the middle east. "Oman will be in some ways very similar to Bahrain and UAE which is why we wanted to play them so that we can get a good idea of what we are going to face," Constantine said.

India and Oman have faced off six times in the past, with Oman winning four and India just one. The Blue Tigers' only victory came way back in 1994.

MAN-IN-CHARGE

Oman head coach Pim Verbeek is a well-known figure in Asian football. The Dutchman was the assistant to the legendary Guus Hiddink when he famously guided South Korea to the semi-finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Verbeek was later given charge of the South Korean national team and was responsible for guiding them to a third-place finish in AFC Asian Cup 2007. The 62-year-old then took over the Australian team and helped the Socceroos qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He was also the head coach during the showcase event in South Africa. Verbeek took over the reins of Oman in 2016 and helped the team win the prestigious Gulf Club earlier this year.

PAST RESULTS

Oman are currently on a 13-match unbeaten run in the international stage, with their last loss coming at the hands of UAE back in December 2017. The Reds have also won all three of their previous friendlies (one against Bahrain and two against Tajikistan).

KEY PLAYERS

Oman will be without their talismanic goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi for the match and possibly the upcoming AFC Asian Cup after the former Wigan Athletic player was ruled out due to an injury he sustained while playing for Al-Hilal in a Saudi Premier League match recently. However, the Omanis have an abundance of talent who can worry the Blue Tigers on Thursday. Here's a couple of players Sunil Chhetri and Co. will need to be wary of.

Abdul Aziz Humaid Mubarak Al-Muqbali

The 29-year-old striker is expected to spearhead Oman's attack. The veteran forward possesses terrific goal scoring prowess and currently plays for Qatari second division side Al-Shamal. He has scored 25 goals for Oman in 72 matches and will prove to be a mighty adversary for the Blue Tigers' defence.

Ahmed Mubarak Al-Mahaijri

With Al-Habsi sidelined due to injury, Al-Mahaijri will be the seniormost player in the Omani side. The 33-year-old has 160 international caps to his name and has the ability to dictate the match from the middle of the park. Al-Mahaijri was a crucial part of Oman's triumph in the Gulf Cup 2017-18 and was named the most valuable player of the tournament.

SQUAD LIST

GOALKEEPER: Faiz Al-Rushaidi

DEFENDERS: Mohammed Al-Maslami, Ali Salim, Ali Al-Busaidi, Abdul Al Mukhaini, Saad Suhail Juma Al-Mukhaini, Fahmi Said Rajab Durbein, Mohammed Al-Rawahi, Nasser Ali Saleh Al Shamli, Jaber Al Owaisi

MIDFIELDERS: Ahmed Mubarak Obaid Al Mahaijri, Salah Al-Yayaei, Harib Al-Saadi, Mahmood Al-Mushaifri, Jameel Al-Yahmadi, Harib Al-Saadi, Eid Mohammed Al Farsi, Raed Ibrahim Saleh, Mohsin Al-Khaldi, Qasim Said Sanjoor Hardan, Ali Hilal Saud Al-Jabri, Mohammed Al-Siyabi, Yaseen Al-Sheyadi

STRIKERS: Abdul Aziz Humaid Mubarak Al-Muqbali, Said Salim Al-Ruzaiqi, Khalid bin Khalifa Al-Hajri, Sami Al-Hasani