Monday 07 / September / 2026
MUSCAT: Oman will open their Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games men’s hockey campaign against China on September 18, as the national team departed for Japan determined to make an impact and push beyond its established seventh-place benchmark at the continental Games.
Following the opening Pool B match against China at Gifu, Oman will meet heavyweights Malaysia on September 22. They then face Uzbekistan on September 24, followed by Thailand on September 26 before locking horns with former world champions Pakistan on September 28.
The men’s hockey tournament will be from September 18 to October 3 in Gifu, Japan, while the wider Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games run through October 4.
Oman’s campaign comes with a clear historical target. Seventh place remains the team’s best-ever finish at the Asian Games, a position they have reached five times — in 1982, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.
The seventh-place finish in Hangzhou three years ago was secured after Oman defeated Bangladesh 4-3 in the classification match.
That record provides both a foundation and a challenge for the current generation. Oman have consistently established itself among the teams capable of competing for the upper places outside Asia’s traditional powerhouses, but Aichi-Nagoya offers an opportunity to turn that consistency into a higher finish.
The team travelled to Japan on Monday for the final phase of its preparations and will train in Kakamigahara City from September 5 to 14.
The programme will focus on technical and physical readiness, team cohesion and the tactical plans the coaching staff intends to employ during the Games.
The preparations will also include a series of friendly matches against Japan. Those games are expected to give the coaching staff an opportunity to assess the squad in competitive conditions, fine-tune its tactical approach and make final adjustments before Oman launch their Asian Games campaign.
The opening assignment against China will provide an immediate test. China finished fourth at the Hangzhou Asian Games, making the September 18 meeting an important early measure of how far the Omani side has progressed since the last edition.
Oman’s delegation is headed by Majid Al Hooti, with Khalil Al Balushi as manager and Mohammed Hoobais Al Shar as head coach. Salah Al Saadi is the assistant coach, and Ghassan Al Hasani as the goalkeeping coach.
Oman squad: Aliyas Al Noufali, Asama Barazahan, Akram Ashoor Bait, Khalid Al Shaaibi, Aiman Faraj Madit, Mohammed Al Noufali, Alkhoder Al Noufali, Sanad Sbeit, Fisal Ambork Alloun, Maitham Al Wahaibi, Aseel Al Maaini, Khalid Al Hasni, Fahad Al Lawati, Ahmed Al Naabi, Rashad Al Fazari, Rashid Al Alawi, Ibrahim Al Farsi and Al Baraa Al Nofli.
