MUSCAT — Uruguayan Julio Cesar Ribas, soon after he was unveiled by the Oman Football Association yesterday at the Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah, vowed to take Oman football to the next level and promised better results in the Gulf Cup 2009 and also hoped to steer the Sultanate into the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Ribas, who has no practical knowledge of Gulf football, said he and his team had come with a big plan and hoped to execute it well with the OFA assistance for positive results.

It’s for sure that Ribas will look up to his country-mate Omar Borras, who is the only member in his coaching panel with the Gulf experience.

It may be recalled, Omar Borras was the coach of Fanja Club long time ago, especially when the OFA chairman Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi was at the helm of the club and also during the period when Fanja Club clinched the Gulf title.

For Julio Ribas, Omar’s experience is certainly going to be vital as he educates himself on Oman football and the players.

Omar said that he was happy to be back in a country he loved most and promised to assist Ribas in churning out the best.

The other members of the coaching team from Uruguay are Juan Verzeri (assistant coach), Julio Giosca and Alberto Claviso (both physical trainers), Alberto Ganeglius (physio) and Hugo Quenedo (goalkeeping coach). OFA’s media officer Mohammed Al Balushi will take up the role of the interpreter and he will be the medium of communication between the coaching staff and the players. Director of the national teams Rashid Jabir will take care of the liaising between the OFA and the teams.

“The contract has been signed for two years (optional extension of two more years),” said Sayyid Khalid, after unveiling the fresh coaching panel, whose first major test will be the match against Bahrain (World Cup qualifier) on February 6.

Sayyid Khalid also revealed that the coach’s financial package alone costs $400,000 per annum, while the package for the whole staff is $1 million per year.

However, he added that there were no major clauses in the contract, “but what we have asked for is the Gulf Cup (nothing less than that) and also a berth in the South Africa World Cup”.

The contract is indeed ambitious for OFA and challenging for Julio Ribas and his team.

“We have promised handsome cash incentives if the coach can help Oman achieve the two tasks during his tenure. We have made it clear that the incentives are meant for winning the Gulf Cup and qualifying for the World Cup alone. Anything less than that (even runner-up position) will not be rewarded,” explained Sayyid Khalid.

He also said that the camp (a closed one) will begin today until February 7 and in all 16 sessions of training has been accommodated. The professional players will join on January 23. “The main reason we cancelled the friendly (Jan. 24) against Denmark was to have maximum training sessions,” said the OFA chief.

He also hinted of bringing back Ali Al Habsi-spotter and former goalkeeping coach John Burridge back in the fray (anywhere he is needed the most).

The unveiling started with the formal introduction of each member and Ribas, who said: “We will work with passion and take Oman football to the highest level. I feel proud to have been named head coach of Oman.”

On Omanis not seen in his team, the coach said: “I will certainly add on, but for now I want to start with this team.”

The Urguayan also said that he has handed over a plan (short and long term) to the association and hope to work accordingly.

Being the man behind the cancellation of the Denmark friendly, Ribas defended his action saying, that the team doesn’t need a practice match at this stage.

“I prefer lengthy training sessions to get the players in the groove,” said the coach.

However, his camp includes a match against Singapore. The planned friendly against Kuwait is in limbo.

“My decision to reduce the friendlies is to reduce the burden on professional players,” said Ribas, who had also visited Qatar and Kuwait to watch Oman’s stars in action. “Will think about the Kuwait friendly after checking with the Qatar League,” he added. He also hinted at having camps not only at home but also abroad.