Ali Al-Habsi Brings Oman to a Halt

Wigan Athletic goalkeeper and Oman international Ali Al-Habsi has revealed that the Gulf State will be at an almost stand still this afternoon when the Latics take to the pitch at Old Trafford to face Manchester United, with half the population tuning in to watch the game and cheer on the Latics.

Al-Habsi, who is an ex-firefighter, is a national celebrity at the moment and the whole of Oman is going Wigan Athletic crazy with their number one sportsman charged with keeping Premier League attacks at bay.

Speaking as the team were preparing to travel the 15 miles to Manchester Al-Habsi says he hopes he can give the folks back home something to cheer about

Al-Habsi says: 'I am probably the biggest sportsman in Oman now. But it was not always like that. I was playing for my village team, Al-Midhaibi, in the third division in Oman when I first got picked for the national team and I was working as a fireman at the airport.

'Now I want to make my people even more proud of me every time I play, especially in this game.

'There was a film crew following me this week who said one in every two families with a TV back home will be watching this game.

'I hope we can give them something to cheer.'



















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