Oman Football Association all set to welcome Uruguay World Cup star Suarez

A file picture of Barcelona forward Luis Suarez

Muscat: With controversial Barcelona forward Luis Suarez finding a place in the provisional Uruguay squad for next month's friendly game against Oman, the Oman Football Association (OFA) is now in leaving no stone unturned to promote the match that will be played in Buraimi on October 13.

Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi, chairman of the OFA, said the governing body is looking to capitalise on the match that is now expected to attract crowds from across the country.

"The stadium in Buraimi is new and we wanted to give the people in Buraimi a chance to witness a big match such as this. The inclusion of Suarez in the provisional squad has made the match even more special and I am sure fans will from all over the country to attend this," Sayyid Khalid said.

"This has now become more than a friendly game. So we are now working to make this a big game," Sayyid Khalid added.

Suarez is currently serving a four-month ban imposed by the international football body Fifa, which includes nine competitive internationals, for the infamous World Cup incident where he bit Italy's defender Giorgio Chiellini. However, he is allowed to play in friendlies after the Court of Arbitration for Sport removed a clause by Fifa which banned him from "any football activity" during that span of four months.

According to Sayyid Khalid, soon after matches against Uruguay and Costa Rica were confirmed, the OFA has been receiving calls from fans for tickets.

"When we came out with the news of the two friendlies, we have been receiving calls from fans for tickets. These two teams have some of the world's best players in their squads and everyone wants to have a glimpse. You do not get a chance to watch them every day. This happens once in your lifetime.
So I don't think a genuine football fan would miss these two games," Sayyid Khalid said.

Oman will face Costa Rica on October 10 in Sohar Sports Complex.

"Of course we are excited to play these two games. Both Costa Rica and Uruguay have done extremely well in the last World Cup. Our team is also in good shape and playing against these two teams will certainly improve their performance," he noted.

Suarez, who was left out of this month's friendlies against Japan and South Korea, is also included in a 29-member squad for another friendly against Saudi Arabia on October 10.

Suarez who had earlier played for Liverpool moved to Barcelona in July.

Meanwhile, Sayyid Khalid also informed that top sports channels will be telecasting the two friendly games around the world. "With Suarez playing after a long ban imposed by Fifa, it will be an added attraction by itself," he added.