Al Khabourah, Izki set for U17 title-decider in Al Rustaq

MUSCAT, FEB 26
The Al Rustaq Sports Complex will host the decisive matches of the Under-17 Football League as the competition reaches its climax, with the third place playoff scheduled for Friday and the highly anticipated final set for Saturday evening.
In Friday's playoff for third and fourth place, Al Musannah will face Al Ittihad in a match where both sides aim to conclude their campaign on a positive note after falling short in the semifinals. Al Musannah booked their place in this fixture following a narrow 1–0 defeat to Al Khabourah in the semifinals at the Al Rustaq Sports Complex, where Jassim al Daoud scored the decisive goal in a tightly contested encounter, Al Musannah will be looking to rediscover their attacking edge and capitalise on their experience to secure a podium finish.
On the other side, Al Ittihad enter the match determined to bounce back from a 3–0 semifinal loss to Izki at the Nizwa Sports Complex. Izki’s attacking trio proved decisive in that match, with Ahmed al Rawahi scoring once and Rakan al Jabri netting twice. Al Ittihad will be eager to deliver a more balanced performance, tighten their defensive lines and finish the season with a victory.
The spotlight, however, will be on Saturday’s final between Al Khabourah and Izki, a showdown between two teams that have demonstrated consistency and quality throughout the tournament.
DISCIPLINE
Al Khabourah secured their place in the final with a disciplined performance and a hard fought 1–0 win over Al Musannah, showcasing defensive organisation and the ability to capitalise on crucial moments. Izki, meanwhile, advanced in impressive fashion after defeating Al Ittihad 3–0, underlining their attacking strength and depth in the final third.
The final is expected to be a tactical and physical battle, as youth competitions are often characterised by high intensity, pace, and strong determination from emerging talents seeking to prove themselves. Supporters are anticipated to turn out in significant numbers, reflecting the growing interest in age-group competitions and their vital role in nurturing future stars for clubs and national teams.
The conclusion of the Under-17 League comes amid similar excitement in the Under-19 competition, where Seeb and Al Musannah advanced to the final after dramatic penalty shoot-out victories over Al Amerat and Salalah, respectively, highlighting the competitive depth across youth categories this season.
As anticipation builds, all eyes will be on Rustaq, where the curtain will fall on an exciting campaign and one team will lift the championship trophy, marking the culmination of months of dedication, discipline and ambition.