Oman FA, fans hail Ali Al Habsi for winning Reading FC's player of the season award

Sports Sunday 01/May/2016 16:45 PM
By: Times News Service
Oman FA, fans hail Ali Al Habsi for winning Reading FC's player of the season award

Muscat: Oman Football Association (OFA) and the Sultanate's soccer fans hailed Omani goalkeeping hero Ali Al Habsi after being named Reading FC's player of the season.
Both the governing body of Oman football and the fans took to social media to congratulate Ali Al Habsi who was declared English Championship side Reading FC's player of the 2015-16 season on Saturday.
According to news posted on Reading website, the Oman international saw off competition from Paul McShane and Oliver Norwood to scoop the award.
Al Habsi, who arrived at the club on a free transfer in the summer, became the second successive goalkeeper to win the award following Adam Federici in the 2014-15 season, the report said.
The 34-year-old had a difficult start to his Royals career, making several high profile errors during the early part of the campaign while he battled with Jonathan Bond for the No.1 spot.
But his form has improved steadily since the arrival of Brian McDermott and he has undoubtedly been the club’s standout player since the turn of the year.
Al Habsi received the award from club chief Sir John Madejski before Reading’s 2-1 defeat by Preston North End at Madejski Stadium.
Al Habsi was second choice behind Bond until October and during his first few games, he really struggled.
However, since the turn of the year, Ali has 'kept us in games and won us a number of points with some great saves'.