All India Football Federation General Secretary Kushal Das said it’s important India play “stronger opposition” in their quest to prepare better for the AFC Asian Cup.
“Oman are a very strong team. We were drawn against them in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and are aware of their quality and strength. It will be the perfect test for our boys as they gear up for the AFC Asian Cup,” Das said.
“I need to thank the Oman Football Federation for agreeing to play the match in Abu Dhabi,” he added.
Oman are currently 84th in the FIFA Rankings to India's 97.
India head coach Stephen Constantine highlighted the “need to strike a rhythm.”
"It's now a question of trying to establish a rhythm and making sure we all know what we have to do. In our last game against Jordan, the circumstances were exceptional and that was a good learning experience for all the players,” Constantine said.
India lost 2-1 to Jordan in their international friendly on November 18, having held China PR to a goalless draw in October.
Reigning Gulf Cup champions Oman, meanwhile, defeated Bahrain 2-1 on November 20 to end a run of five consecutive draws in international friendlies.
Constantine said Oman will be very similar to Bahrain and UAE, both of whom India will be facing in Group A of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019. Thailand are the fourth team in the group.
“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 in the group stages,” Constantine added.
Oman will play in Group F at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 with four-time champions Japan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan for company.
