Al Nahda bow out of Gulf CL with defeat against Al Rayyan

 
Muscat: Al Nahda bowed out of the Gulf Champions League after suffering a 3–1 defeat to Qatar’s Al Rayyan at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Umm Al Afaei, Doha, in the decisive group-stage clash. The result saw Al Rayyan finish top of the group with 12 points, advancing alongside Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab, who secured second place on goal difference.
The first leg encounter between the two sides, played at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat, had ended in a 1–1 draw, Misoko Olomu gave Al Nahda the lead before Rorijo Moreno equalised for Al Rayyan, leaving qualification to be decided in the return fixture.
Al Rayyan began the second leg aggressively, applying high pressure and creating several clear chances, while Al Nahda relied on defensive organisation and counter-attacks. The breakthrough came in the 21st minute when Ahmed Alaaeldin capitalised on a precise pass inside the box to put the hosts ahead.
Al Rayyan maintained their attacking momentum, although chances were exchanged between both sides before half-time, which ended 1–0 in favour of the Qatari side.
SECOND-HALF DECISIVENESS
Al Nahda attempted to push forward after the break in search of an equaliser, but Al Rayyan doubled their lead in the 56th minute through Roger Guedes, who finished off a well-constructed move.
The Omani side responded in the 64th minute when Misoko Olomu scored, marking his second goal against Al Rayyan over the two legs and briefly reviving his team’s hopes.
However, Al Rayyan quickly restored their two-goal cushion as Aleksandar Mitrović found the net in the 71st minute, sealing a 3–1 victory and confirming their dominance.
In the other group fixture, Al Shabab recorded a resounding 13–0 win over Tadamun Hadramout, moving level with Al Nahda on seven points. Superior goal difference placed the Saudi side second behind group leaders Al Rayyan, who finished with 12 points.
Al Nahda concluded their campaign in third place with seven points, exiting the competition despite a competitive showing, while Al Rayyan and Al Shabab progressed to the next round.