Thursday 19 / September / 2024
Muscat: The match involved two former champions and was expected to be a top-drawer. The large number of fans at the Seeb Sports Stadium weren’t disappointed as the home side, Seeb, eked out a thrilling 1-0 win against a strong Al Nasr side in the second round of the 2023-24 Omantel League on Sunday night.
Seeb, who have won the league titles twice (2019-20, 2021-22), were up against Salalah heavyweights Al Nasr, a team that have won five titles, but last of which had come in 2003-04 season.
Both the teams played out an intense first half but failed to break the deadlock. The post-interval session saw the hosts find the much-needed breakthrough when Marwan Al Siyabi found the back of the Al Nasr net in the 73rd minute, much the delight of a large number of Seeb fans.
Seeb, coached by former Oman junior coach Jorvan Viera of Brazil, then held their citadel intact despite a late flurry of attacks from the Al Nasr forwards.
The win kicked off Seeb’s domestic season on a triumphant note as the club missed the opening week’s action due to their participation in the Asian Champions League preliminary round playoff match against Uzbekistan club AGMK FC. Seeb went down to hosts ABMK by a solitary goal.
Al Nahda triumph
Elsewhere on Sunday, defending champions Al Nahda tasted their first victory of the season with a 2-0 win over a ten-man Al Wahda at the Al Buraimi Sports Complex.
Al Nahda, coached by Hamad Al Azani, had begun their season with a draw against Al Shabab.
Al Nahda, rode on their qualification into the AFC Cup group stage after their hard-fought 3-2 win over Bahrain’s Al Khaldiya on August 22, continued their winning momentum with a clinical display against league debutants Al Wahda, who lost Van Dave Harmon to a red card in the 61st minute.
Al Nahda capitalised on the numerical advanatage and got the breakthrough four minutes later when Hamood Al Saadi scored.
Oman international Issam Al Subhi then scored a late goal in the injury time of the match to complete a 2-0 victory. Al Wahda coach Mohammed Khamis was also shown the red card at the end of the match for protesting against the officiating referee.
Al Wahda’s disciplinary woes seem to be mounting as they had lost Faisal Sani and Ahmed Al Araimi to red cards in their
opening match against Dhofar.
The win helped Al Nahda climb to second spot with four points while Sohar Club lead the table after round two. Sohar have also four points but are ahead on goal-difference though Al Nahda and Sur also have four points each.
Earlier on Friday, Sur upset hosts and record 11-time winners Dhofar at the Al Saada Sports Complex with a 1-0 win.
Sur could have taken the lead in the 31st minute when they were awarded a penalty but Mohammad Al Mukhaini’s shot was saved by Dhofar goalkeeper Mazen al Kasbi.
Sur found the winner in the 67th minute when Ahed Al Hudaifi scored to break the Dhofar resistance. Sur had begun their season with a draw against Al Rustaq.
On Saturday, a ten-man Oman Club beat Bahla 1-0 at the Seeb Sports Stadium. After the teams had played out a goalless first half, Hosni Al Hinai netted the winner in the 52nd minute.
The match also saw a red card to Oman Club’s Omar Al Hassani, who was sent off following his second booking in the game but Oman held on to claim their first win of the season. It was a good comeback from the club, which had suffered a 4-1 rout in the opening round match to Sohar.
In another game on Saturday, Sohar were held to a goalless draw by Al Rustaq at the Al Rustaq Sports Complex.
Ibri claim first win
Earlier on Friday, top-flight league debutants Ibri Club registered their maiden win after they beat Al Shabab 1-0 at the Ibri Complex on Friday. Youssef Al Ghafri set up the goal and Ibri’s foreign recruit Bruno hammered the decisive goal in the 33rd minute.
