Bahla held as Sohar claim key win over Al Nasr

MUSCAT: The second day of Round 22 in the Jindal League brought another shift in the standings, as Bahla were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Oman Club, while Sohar claimed a valuable 1-0 win over Al Nasr.
At Nizwa Sports Complex, Bahla dropped more points in a crucial stage of the season after being held by Oman Club, with the hosts only rescuing a point in the closing moments.
The match began cautiously, although Oman Club looked the more organised side in the opening half and managed to translate their discipline into a deserved lead. Their compact shape and close marking restricted Bahla’s key players, and the visitors went ahead in the 34th minute when Waleed al Musalmi converted from the penalty spot.
Oman Club also produced several strong individual displays, while goalkeeper Faris al Ghaithi played a major role in preserving the lead with a confident performance between the posts.
Bahla improved after the break and created better openings, but a lack of cutting edge in front of goal prevented them from making their pressure count. Abdulsalam al Shukaili was denied by poor finishing on two promising opportunities, including one clear chance after Al Ghaithi had come off his line.
Oman Club remained balanced and continued to pose a threat on the counter-attack, while Bahla searched for a way back through late substitutions. The changes eventually brought a response, as Karl Winda struck in the 90th minute to salvage a point for the home side.
The draw left both teams level on 33 points, with Bahla in sixth place on goal difference and Oman Club just behind them on the same tally.

SOHAR EDGE AL NASR
At Al Saada Sports Complex, Sohar produced one of the day’s standout results by defeating Al Nasr 1-0 in an important contest at both ends of the table.
Sohar started brightly and threatened early through foreign player Atikur Kena and Saud al Maqbali before making the breakthrough in the eighth minute. Atikur finished from close range after meeting a cross from Moayad al Abdul Salam to give his side an early lead.
Al Nasr tried to respond, but their task became harder after an enforced substitution in the 25th minute, when Khalid al Sulaimi went off injured, and Awad al Shahri came on. Al Nasr continued to search for an equaliser and came close in the 38th minute when Awad sent a powerful effort over the crossbar.
The second half was more evenly contested, with both teams trading attacks. Al Nasr’s best chance came when Mohammed Abdulhakim met a cross from Awad al Shahri with a header, only for Sohar goalkeeper Majdi al Ajmi to produce an important save. Sohar nearly doubled the lead in the 66th minute when Atikur struck the left post.
Al Nasr pushed forward in the closing stages, and substitute Jasim al Nofli came close late on, but Sohar held firm to secure all three points.
The victory lifted Sohar to 35 points in fifth place, while Al Nasr remained on 46 points and risked slipping to third depending on the outcome of Al Shabab’s postponed matches.