Ahli Sidab beat Masirah, Salalah to enter U21

Muscat, Aug 29
Ahli Sidab opened their campaign in the final stage of the Under-21 Youth Hockey League in impressive fashion, securing back-to-back victories that placed the team at the top of the standings and booked their spot in the final.
In their first match, they overcame Masirah with a 4-1 win, before confirming their dominance in a thrilling second encounter against Salalah, which ended 6-4 in Ahli Sidab's favour to take six points from two games.
At the Hockey Oman Stadium in Al Amerat, the game began evenly with both teams sharing possession, although Ahli Sidab had a slight edge. Defensive caution from both sides kept the score level at 0-0 through the first quarter. Early in the second quarter, Ahli Sidab asserted control as Saeed al Fazari broke the deadlock in the 19th minute. Just two minutes later, Mohammed al Alawi doubled the lead from a penalty corner, sending his team into half-time ahead 2-0.
Masirah fought back in the third quarter and managed to reduce the deficit when Abbas bin Suleiman converted a penalty corner in the 44th minute. However, Ahli Sidab’s experience showed in the final quarter, with Laith al Wahaibi extending the lead in the 49th minute before Mohammed al Alawi sealed the victory with his second goal in the 57th minute, ending the encounter 4-1.
THRILLING CLASH
In another match, Ahli Sidab pulled off a stunning comeback against Salalah, overturning a 3-0 deficit to claim a 6-4 victory in one of the tournament’s most exciting games.
The match started with high attacking intensity from both sides. Salalah struck first in the sixth minute through Hazzah al Balushi from a penalty corner, finishing the first quarter 1-0 ahead. Their momentum continued into the second quarter as Nizar al Hasani made it 2-0 in the 17th minute from a quick counterattack, before Salalah grabbed a third goal just a minute later after capitalising on defensive errors by Ahli Sidab.
Despite trailing 3-0, Ahli Sidab refused to give in. Saeed al Fazari converted a penalty corner in the 18th minute to reduce the gap and Mishal Khalid scored the second before half-time, leaving the score at 3-2 for Salalah.
Ahli Sidab entered the third quarter with renewed determination. Iyad al Alawi equalised to make it 3-3, followed by Laith al Wahaibi’s penalty corner goal to give them the lead. Anas al Siyabi and Mundher al Rajibi then added two more goals in quick succession, with the third quarter ending 6-3 in Ahli Sidab’s favour.
Salalah tried to respond in the final quarter, with Hazzah al Balushi netting his second from a penalty corner, but Ahli Sidab’s defence held firm to secure a 6-4 win and book their place in the final with a perfect record, awaiting the outcome of Salalah vs Masirah to determine the second finalist.
After the victory and qualification, Ahli Sidab player Abdullah al Kathiri said:
“I congratulate the technical and administrative staff as well as my teammates for this achievement of two consecutive wins, full six points and qualifying for the final. Our ambition now is to defend the title and win the championship for the second time in a row”.
He also extended his gratitude to the Oman Hockey Association for organising the tournament and allowing young players to showcase their abilities.