International Friendly Preview: Oman - Brazil

The hosts will be looking to prove their worth against one of the favourites for next year’s World Cup…

Nov 16, 2009 5:42:51 PM

More On :  Brazil, Oman, Oman vs Brazil
Brazil celebrate, Brazil v England (Getty Images)
Kick Off: Tuesday, November 17, 15:30 CET
Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat, Oman

High-Profile Friendly

Oman’s eagerly-anticipated friendly with Brazil is now upon them. With their National Day also just around the corner, the crowd in Muscat are sure to be in celebratory and excitable mood for their first ever match against the Selecao.
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Unfortunately, recent results have not quite gone in favour of Claude Le Roy’s side. Their Asian Cup participation is in doubt after two defeats to Australia, and will be even more so if Kuwait beat Indonesia on Wednesday.

Their World Cup qualifying campaign was also cut short after they were pipped to second place in the third round group stage by Bahrain.

Their results have not quite reflected the merit of their performances, however. They outplayed Australia for large parts of their match in Melbourne, although their defensive performance against the ten-man Socceroos last weekend did not truly demonstrate Oman’s confidence and style of previous games.

Tuesday’s friendly against a well-organised and well-oiled Brazil side should go some way to demonstrating just how far they have advanced under Le Roy.

Omani national coaches don’t tend to retain their position for very long, although the Frenchman has been in charge since July 2008. A good result against Dunga’s side could give them a lot of confidence as they look to secure a place in the 2011 Asian Cup.

Taming Of The Three Lions

After their friendly victory against England, Brazil coach Dunga declared he is only concerned about his side’s performances on the pitch.

The name of the Selecao has recently been dragged through the mud with the public arguments between the national side and a number of clubs, including Roma and Manchester City, over the physical condition – or lack thereof – of their players.

Very little can be garnered from Saturday’s friendly. Brazil faced a team that was closer to an England ‘B’ side than a full strength XI, though Dunga’s side was not at top capacity either. The heat and humidity that was clearly evident in Qatar will also be much less of a factor next summer in South Africa.

Many have criticised Brazil for their lack of style and panache under Dunga, and there was little of either on show against the Three Lions on Saturday.

The football-mad nation of Oman may not enjoy the chutzpah of the Brazilian sides of old, but there are still qualities to be admired within the Selecao. Their defence is rock solid, having conceded just 11 goals in the qualifiers, while, with the exception of last Saturday’s awful penalty, Luis Fabiano has been in deadly form in front of goal.

Tuesday’s friendly may not mean so much to Brazil as it will to Oman, but it is another chance for Dunga to test out some of his less experienced players against tricky opposition.


FORM GUIDE

Oman

November 14 v Australia (H) – LOST 2-1 (Asian Cup Qualifier)

October 14 v Australia (A) – LOST 1-0 (Asian Cup Qualifier)

September 9 v Qatar (A) – DREW 1-1 (Friendly)

August 12 v Saudi Arabia (H) – WON 2-1 (Friendly)

June 9 v Bosnia-Herzegovina (A) – LOST 2-1 (Friendly)

Brazil

November 14 v England (N) – WON 1-0 (Friendly)

October 14 v Venezuela (H) – DREW 0-0 (WCQ)

October 10 v Bolivia (A) – LOST 2-1 (WCQ)

September 9 v Chile (H) – WON 4-2 (WCQ)

September 5 v Argentina (A) – WON 3-1 (WCQ)

TEAM NEWS

Oman

There should not be many changes from the side that lost to Australia last weekend, with Ahmed Mubarak sidelined through a torn groin muscle.

Previous Starting XI (4-4-2): Al Habsi; M. Rabia, Ayil, Balushi, Madhafar; Bashir, Sulaiman, Al-Maimani, Hadid; H. Rabia, A Hosni

Brazil

Robinho is unlikely to be risked. Meanwhile, Kaka has been suffering from a touch of fatigue as he recovers from the friendly with England.

Previous Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Thiago Silva, Michel Bastos; Felipe Melo, Gilberto Silva; Elano, Kaka, Nilmar; Luis Fabiano.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ali Al Habsi (Oman)

The Bolton Wanderers 'keeper is sure to be called into action on a number of occasions on Tuesday. He will need to show his finest reflexes and be decisive when commanding his penalty area if he is to keep Brazil at bay.

Kaka (Brazil)

While he occasionally suffers from having to carry the creative burden of his side, Kaka is capable of moments of real genius. His club form has been indifferent so far, but he could regain a lot of confidence with a good performance against Oman.


PREDICTION

The climate and the home support will make it an intimidating atmosphere for the Selecao, but their quality should shine through in the end.

Oman 0-3 Brazil

Anthony Wright, Goal.com
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