Al Nasr rejoice comeback HM Cup win
Published: 05:01 PM,Jan 02,2023 | EDITED : 09:01 PM,Jan 02,2023
MUSCAT, JAN 2
Al Nasr players and coaching staff expressed their delight after staging a brilliant comeback in the HM Cup hockey final in Muscat on Sunday night.
“We are really delighted to make a comeback like that in the final. We were against a strong side also that enjoyed good start in the match,” Al Nasr head coach Mohammed al Battrani told Oman Observer.
Al Battrani said the team needed a trophy this season after Al Nasr missed out in the semifinal of the Oman Hockey League against Seeb.
“We lost a close match against Seeb in the Oman Hockey League semifinal although we had a good OHL. We didn’t wanted to repeat such mistakes in the HM Cup final.”
Ahli Sidab won the OHA League in October after beating Seeb 4-1 in the final. Ahli Sidab thrashed Sohar 6-0 and Seeb edged Al Nasr 2-1 in the semifinals.
Seeb edged Salalah 6-5 in penalty shoot-out to finish third after the play-off match on December 25.
The experienced local coach had reinvigorated the Al Nasr team after they were behind two goals after the first quarter of the match at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
“I told the boys to stay calm and wait for the opportunities. We were still to reach our rhythm in the first quarter. The players did commendably well to score the first goal in the second quarter and also stopping the Ahli Sidab players from extending their lead.”
NO LOOKING BACK
Al Nasr did not look back after Osama al Khamis netted the equaliser in the start of the third quarter. The Salalah side then went on to score another three goals to clinch their ninth title in HM Cup.
“After the equaliser, our players in supreme form and I was confident of winning the match,” Al Battrani added.
Star of the match for Al Nasr, Ravinder Valmiki from India, said it was a matter of time in the game that they scored the goals after conceding two.
“We played a great game of hockey against a quality and difficult team. Though the score is 5-2 it doesn’t indicate the one-sided contest. Our players and our execution were brilliant today. I’m happy to play a part in the victory,” the Indian Olympian said.
Valmiki inspired the Al Nasr comeback by controlling the game in the middle and giving crucial assists for their goals.
Ahli Sidab head coach Aiman bin Abdullah al Katheri rued their lack of success from penalty corners after finding first goal from the first penalty corner of the match.
“We couldn’t strike from several penalty corners we earned barring the first one we converted to a goal. Al Nasr played well after the first quarter. We were not able to keep our tempo after leading by two goals. We were trying for another goal, but left too many gaps in the defence,” Al Katheri said.
The twelve-time champions also missed some close opportunities by narrow margins as Al Nasr prevailed 5-2 to emerge champions of 52nd His Majesty’s Cup hockey championship.
Al Nasr players and coaching staff expressed their delight after staging a brilliant comeback in the HM Cup hockey final in Muscat on Sunday night.
“We are really delighted to make a comeback like that in the final. We were against a strong side also that enjoyed good start in the match,” Al Nasr head coach Mohammed al Battrani told Oman Observer.
Al Battrani said the team needed a trophy this season after Al Nasr missed out in the semifinal of the Oman Hockey League against Seeb.
“We lost a close match against Seeb in the Oman Hockey League semifinal although we had a good OHL. We didn’t wanted to repeat such mistakes in the HM Cup final.”
Ahli Sidab won the OHA League in October after beating Seeb 4-1 in the final. Ahli Sidab thrashed Sohar 6-0 and Seeb edged Al Nasr 2-1 in the semifinals.
Seeb edged Salalah 6-5 in penalty shoot-out to finish third after the play-off match on December 25.
The experienced local coach had reinvigorated the Al Nasr team after they were behind two goals after the first quarter of the match at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
“I told the boys to stay calm and wait for the opportunities. We were still to reach our rhythm in the first quarter. The players did commendably well to score the first goal in the second quarter and also stopping the Ahli Sidab players from extending their lead.”
NO LOOKING BACK
Al Nasr did not look back after Osama al Khamis netted the equaliser in the start of the third quarter. The Salalah side then went on to score another three goals to clinch their ninth title in HM Cup.
“After the equaliser, our players in supreme form and I was confident of winning the match,” Al Battrani added.
Star of the match for Al Nasr, Ravinder Valmiki from India, said it was a matter of time in the game that they scored the goals after conceding two.
“We played a great game of hockey against a quality and difficult team. Though the score is 5-2 it doesn’t indicate the one-sided contest. Our players and our execution were brilliant today. I’m happy to play a part in the victory,” the Indian Olympian said.
Valmiki inspired the Al Nasr comeback by controlling the game in the middle and giving crucial assists for their goals.
Ahli Sidab head coach Aiman bin Abdullah al Katheri rued their lack of success from penalty corners after finding first goal from the first penalty corner of the match.
“We couldn’t strike from several penalty corners we earned barring the first one we converted to a goal. Al Nasr played well after the first quarter. We were not able to keep our tempo after leading by two goals. We were trying for another goal, but left too many gaps in the defence,” Al Katheri said.
The twelve-time champions also missed some close opportunities by narrow margins as Al Nasr prevailed 5-2 to emerge champions of 52nd His Majesty’s Cup hockey championship.