MUSCAT, Sept 24 - All Omani football fans are looking forward to watch many thrilling games in the fourth round of Omantel League (OL), which will be played on Monday. Leaders Al Nasr will clash with OPL champions Dhofar in Dhofar derby. Another important fixture will be between Al Suwaiq and Al Shabab in South Al Batinah derby. While the North Al Batinah derby will be between Saham and Al Salam. Muscat will meet neighbours Oman club in the capital derby, while Fanja are set to take on Al Oruba in a key clash. In the other fixtures: Al Mudhaibi will host Al Nahda, while Mirbat travel to face Sohar.
It is very difficult to predict how this round is going to be as there is no consistent team except Al Nasr. Last week, we saw many changes in the standing table. Will we see other changes this week too? This time, the popular derby in Oman football between Al Nasr and Dhofar will be very exciting due to the situation of both teams. It kicks off at 19:45. Al Nasr will be in for a serious test against last year’s champions Dhofar, who are still searching for their form this season. Al Nasr are outstanding in everything this season, winning all the games, scoring five goals and conceding null. On the other hand, Salalah giants Dhofar had a perfect preparation for the season especially with the 14-day external camp in Turkey. They also enhanced their bench with many good players in the summer transfer window. However, Dhofar have not shown even half of what they did last season. Al Nasr’s tactician manager Hamza al Jamal will face his ex-team Dhofar, while the Romanian manager Florin’s future at the club will be at risk if the team fail to win the game.
At Seeb Sports Stadium (20:30), second-placed Al Suwaiq will clash with OPL runner-ups Al Shabab. Al Suwaiq, who have best attack in the league with seven goals, still did not appear in an excellent form but they did the most important thing by winning all the games. Hosts Al Shabab lost to Al Nasr 1-0 last week in an intense game. High-flying winger Jamil al Yahmedi will be available for Al Shabab manager Ali al Khanbashi. Al Yahmedi missed the Al Nasr match due to a red card he got during Dhofar match.
Struggling Fanja are hoping to record first victory when they host Al Oruba at Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex (17:20). The 2015 champions had one of their worst starts so far, collecting only one point as they slumped to two losses from newcomers Mirbat and Al Salam. This game might be an opportunity to see a new Fanja, but opponents Al Oruba will not be an easy catch. Al Oruba showed top performance against Dhofar last week and they were even close to win the game before Dhofar equalised.
First Division champions Al Mudhaibi will hope to grab their first point in OL history when they host Al Nahda at Seeb Sports Stadium. Both teams, struggling in the campaign, desperately look for three points. Al Mudhaibi suffered three losses, while Al Nahda were defeated last two rounds by Saham and Oman club.
In the capital derby, both of the revived Muscat and Oman club will search for second win when they meet. Muscat look favourites to earn three points compared with the overall performance of Oman club since the start of the campaign.
In the last two fixtures, Sohar will host Mirbat in a bid for both the teams to keep up their good show last week. Sohar defeated Al Salam 3-1, while Mirbat edged Fanja 2-1. It kicks off at Sohar Stadium at 17:30. After this game, Saham and Al Salam will hope to come back to winning ways when they clash each other.
Jaber al Ajmi
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