Al Nahda secure crucial win over Tadhamon

Muscat, Dec 25
Oman’s Al Nahda Club secured a valuable 1–0 victory over Yemen’s Tadhamon Hadramout on Wednesday evening, in the match played at Saud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium in Qatar as part of the Gulf Club Championship, continuing the Omani side’s strong push in the race for qualification.
The match started at a fast and open pace from both sides, with Al Nahda coming close to taking an early lead when Amjad al Harthy fired a powerful shot in the second minute that sailed just over the crossbar. Tadhamon Hadramout responded with a series of attacks toward the goal of Faiz al Rashidi, but most of their attempts lacked real danger.
The Yemeni side’s best chance came in the 38th minute when a well-delivered cross was nearly converted by Adel Abbas Ibrahim, before Al Rashidi shone again late in the first half with a superb save from a powerful strike by Elloh Nezloic.
Just before the half-time, Pierre Oloumou struck a direct free kick in the 45+3 minute that nearly gave Al Nahda the lead, and the first half ended in a goalless draw.
At the start of the second half, Al Nahda raised their tempo and appeared more organised in midfield and attack, applying high pressure on the ball and unsettling Tadhamon Hadramout’s defence, creating clear spaces for their forwards. The Omani side produced several chances, the most notable being a close-range effort from Abdulrahman al Ghasani that was saved with difficulty by the Yemeni goalkeeper, along with another attempt from the right side that went just wide of the post.
FIRST VICTORY
This pressure paid off in the 60th minute when Abdulrahman al Ghasani dribbled into the penalty area and was brought down by Zakaria al Ismaili, prompting the referee to award a penalty for Al Nahda. Five minutes later, striker Andres Joy stepped up and calmly converted the spot kick into the right corner, giving Al Nahda a 1–0 lead in the 65th minute.
After the goal, Tadhamon Hadramout pushed all their lines forward in search of an equaliser, relying on crosses and long-range shots, but Al Nahda’s defence remained well organised, while Faiz al Rashidi continued to impress by clearing several dangerous balls inside the box, allowing the Omani side to hold on until the final whistle.
With their first victory, Al Nahda moved up to six points in second place, level with group leaders Al Rayyan of Qatar but on goal difference, while Tadhamon Hadramout dropped to third with four points, and Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab sit fourth with three points.
Al Rayyan maintained their position at the top of the group after drawing 2–2 with hosts Al Shabab on Wednesday, keeping the battle for qualification wide open in one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.