Coach: Milan Macala
 
Oman join Turkmenistan and Jordan as Asian Cup newcomers ¡­ and are widely considered to be the most likely of the three to make the last eight. Unfortunately for Oman, their task has not been made easy by being drawn in the same group as Japan, the defending champions, Iran, three-time Asian Cup winners, and Thailand, who won the Tiger Cup in 2002.
 
That said, Oman have become somewhat accustomed to thumbing their nose at their supposed betters, as Korea Republic found out to their cost last October when Milan Macala's boys beat the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists 3-1 in Muscat. It was a result that sent shockwaves around the world and one which guaranteed the team top spot in the group. A few months later, an injury-time goal prevented Oman from holding Japan to a draw in a 2006 World Cup qualifier.
 
Macala is a familiar face in Asian football circles having coached Kuwait to the Asian Cup semi-finals in 1996. He was Saudi Arabia's coach at the Asian Cup in 2000 but was unceremoniously relieved of his responsibilities after the first game of the tournament, which Saudi lost 4-1 to Japan. Macala will meet Japan again this year when Oman take them on in Chengdu on July 20.
 
The majority of the Oman team also play for the country's Olympic team, which was beaten to a place at the Athens Games on goal difference. Macala will be hoping such a fate does not befall his team a second time in three months.
 
 
ATTACK
The loss to injury of Hani Al Dhabat deprives Macala of one of the best strikers in Oman and a definite starter. The lanky player has sublime skill, pace and great ball skills and his absence is a real blow to Oman.
 
The attacking responsibilities now lie with Bader Mubarak, whose 20th birthday falls a day before the tournament begins, and Hashim Saleh, who is 22. Macala likes to play with three players up front, with Imad Ali likely to make up the attacking jigsaw. Mubarak is deadly from free-kicks, as he proved against Singapore in a 2006 World Cup qualifier in June when three of his four goals came from dead-ball situations.
 
Oman certainly don't have a problem scoring goals but sometimes their desire to shoot, especially from distance, can be frustrating.
 
In midfield, the languid Fouzi Basheer is one to watch. He is long-limbed and, at times, can look ungainly. But he has a great change of pace, good ball control and a powerful shot. He has a prodigious work rate and can get up to support the attack and back to help the defence with apparent ease. He is joined in midfield by Ahmed Hadid and Hamdi Hubais.
 
 
DEFENCE
The star of the Oman rearguard is, without any doubt, Ali Al Habsi, the goalkeeper. Al Habsi is just 19 but is mature beyond his years, probably as a result of the fact that he plays his football in Europe.
 
The stopper, who plays for Lyn in Norway, is the first Oman player to move to Europe and his performances for club and country have already attracted the attention of suitors from other parts of Europe. He was named the best goalkeeper at the Gulf Cup at the turn of the year and he saved a penalty against Japan in a World Cup 2006 qualifier in March.
 
In front of Al Habsi, Macala has opted once again for youth in Hussein Mustahil (24), Said Ashoon (20), Mohammed Rabia (23) and Khalifa Ayil (20).
 
 
FIRST ROUND PROSPECTS
Although Oman are the rank outsiders in Group D, there is actually more pressure on Macala's team than might be expected. The win over Korea last year, a steady climb up the FIFA rankings and a narrow defeat to Japan have alerted Asia to the talents of this Oman team, and people are already saying that they expect Oman to give Japan and Iran a real run for their money.
 
Oman meet the defending champions in the first game in what is likely to be a close game. Macala prides himself on his tactical acumen and he will want to show Zico that he has the upper hand.
 
Iran are next up. The three-time champions are not quite at full strength so this game may be closer than the last encounter between the two, which ended 5-2 in favour of Iran.
 
Thailand should be easier prey for Oman, especially as the South East Asians are not great travellers. The last time the two met, in Thailand, the hosts won 2-0. 
Goalkeepers
1 Suleiman Khamis
22 Badar Juma
24 Ali Talib
26 Ali Al Habsi
Defenders
2 Mohamed Rabia
4 Saeed Ashoon
5 Hussein Mustahil
7 Jamal Nabi Bakhsh
13 Ahmed Salim
15 Nasser Zayid
17 Hassan Yousuf
19 Nabil Ashoor
23 Badar Al Mahruqy
25 Khalifa Ayil
27 Haifar Darwish
Midfielders
3 Ayiman Suroor
6 Hamdi Hubais
10 Fouzi Basheer
12 Ahmed Al Mahanjri
14 Mohamed Hamed
16 Mohamed Mubarak
18 Sultan Al Touqi
21 Ahmed Hadid
Forwards
8 Badar Mubarak
9 Hashim Saleh
11 Yousuf Shaiaban
20 Imad Ali
28 Ahmed Said Al Busafy
29 Talal Mohamed
30 Taqi Al Siyabi