Sultanate’s upcoming World Cup fifth round qualifying matches next month are uppermost in the minds of thousands of supporters of the Red Warriors – no wonder, the opening matches will be a fiery test for the national team.

The first one is a tough away fixture against Japan on June 3 and the second is also an equally tricky home clash against Australia on June 8. These two teams are the most powerful in Oman’s group which also includes Iraq and Jordan.

Sports has been in the forefront of activities since the country’s under-23 football side put up sterling performances to enter the final play-off for this year’s London Olympics before losing to Senegal in the English city of Coventry.

If the under-23 team’s failure to qualify for the Olympics was a disappointment for the Sultanate’s fans, the fact that the senior squad are in with a chance of qualifying for the 2014 Brazil World Cup has caused a stir among fans and the forthcoming matches are widely discussed both in the media and among the general population.

As the Omani team started training in Japan for the big match on June 3, Coach Paul le Guen is not underestimating the gigantic task which his boys are facing. He had said recently: “First we want to be very professional, have to be ambitious and aware of these games as we did before each Olympic qualifier.

To win or lose is not what matters, but we need to have exactly the same preparations for the qualifiers ahead.” True, it was the Olympic team’s strenuous training that enabled the boys to overcome difficult opposition in the group matches and reach as far as the final play-off against Senegal.

What the coach is saying is that the senior team has to exhibit the same dedication to training and determination to win. The coach is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the team, and hence his emphasis on adequate preparation for the upcoming games.

The fact that top priority is given to sport in the Sultanate stems from the Royal care of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said who believes that the youth are the future of nation.

Royal directives have led to various initiatives to trigger interest among the youth of the country and channel their energies into a positive activity.

This has been hugely successful, and Omani youth have made their mark at the regional and international levels. In addition to winning accolades in team and individual sports events, the Omani sports-persons have been fine ambassadors of the nation. Through their interaction with sports-persons from other countries, Omani teams have cultivated a lot of friendship.

They have helped to promote Oman as a peaceful, culturally rich and sporting nation which is famed for its hospitality.

Sport not only unites teams, it unites a whole nation and contributes to building a healthy and progressive society. With the two crucial World Cup qualifying matches coming up, the entire country’s focus is on them. We too hope for the success of the national team.