Seeb face Al Nahda to secure a spot in Junior Hockey

MUSCAT, AUGUST 2
This evening marks the decisive match to determine the fourth team qualifying for the 2025 Junior U-18 Hockey League finals, as Seeb Club meets Al Nahda Club at the hockey field of Sohar Sports Complex. Three clubs have already secured their places in the finals after topping their respective groups: Ahli Sidab from Group A, Masirah from Group B, and Al Ittihad from Group C. Seeb and Al Nahda will now compete for the fourth and final spot. The sixth and final round of the group stage saw a dominant performance from Masirah, defeating Saham 7-0 in a match where Masirah maintained complete control from start to finish. In another fixture, Ahli Sidab was awarded a 2-0 victory over Al Nahda after the latter withdrew and failed to appear.
MASIRAH’S CLEAN SWEEP
Masirah cruised to a sweeping 7-0 victory over Saham in the match held at Sohar Sports Complex. The game began with a slight advantage for Masirah, who opened the scoring in the 11th minute through Abbas al Noufli from a penalty corner. In the second quarter, Fadhl al Noufli added the second goal (19’), before Al Musharafi netted the third (24’).
At the start of the third quarter, Hassan al Balushi extended the lead with the fourth goal (33’), followed by Al Musharafi scoring the fifth (35’). Ali al Noufli then netted the sixth goal, ending the quarter with a commanding 6-0 lead. In the final quarter, Ahmed al Farsi wrapped up the goal fest with the seventh strike (51’), sealing a resounding win for Masirah.
SEEB AND AL NAHDA COACHES SPEAK AHEAD OF THE CLASH
Hani bin Mubarak al Kulaibi, Seeb’s coach, confirmed that his team is fully prepared for the match, noting that the technical and administrative staff have worked over recent days to improve the players’ physical and mental readiness while correcting mistakes observed during the group stage. 'We understand the importance of this match. The players are fully focused on securing qualification, and we have greatly benefited from the intensity of the competition, which has helped sharpen the players’ skills.' he said.
On evaluating the competition during the group stage, Al Kulaibi highlighted the high technical level, particularly from emerging teams that showed remarkable development. He pointed out that goals were scored through various approaches organised attacks, set pieces, and even defensive mistakes which added a strong competitive edge to the matches. 'This competitive intensity has helped develop the experience of our young players and improved their ability to handle pressure, which is one of our key takeaways.' he added.
Meanwhile, Abdullah al Kathiri, Al Nahda’s head coach, stated that his team is ready for the decisive encounter, emphasising that the experiences gained during the group stage provided valuable lessons for the players despite challenges such as inconsistent attendance and limited experience.
'We have worked to correct the technical errors seen in previous matches, and our goal is to deliver a strong performance that reflects the team’s readiness.' he said.
This match represents a pivotal moment for both teams, as each aims to seize the qualification ticket and prove their presence in the finals, with expectations of a thrilling and competitive encounter.