Sur secure safety, Al Rustaq claim home win in JL

MUSCAT, MAY 13
Round 24 of the Jindal League opened with two significant results at both ends of the table, as Sur secured their top-flight status with a 2-1 win over Al Khabourah, while already-relegated Al Rustaq celebrated their first home victory of the season with a 2-0 win over Ibri.
At Sur Sports Complex, the home side collected three vital points to guarantee survival in the Jindal League. Sur took the lead in the 23rd minute when foreign player Axel May converted from the penalty spot after the ball struck Al Khabourah defender Rashid al Hosni inside the area.
The match remained competitive throughout, with Sur enjoying more of the first-half control through better organisation and movement, while Al Khabourah looked to threaten on the break. The visitors nearly found an equaliser before the interval when Saeed Obeid struck the crossbar in the 38th minute, and they carried that attacking intent into the second half.
Al Khabourah were rewarded in the 53rd minute when Salem Habib took advantage of defensive hesitation to bring his side level. The equaliser shifted momentum in favour of the visitors, who began to dominate midfield and looked the more dangerous team for a spell. They came close again in the 71st minute, only for Sur’s goalkeeper Bilal al Balushi to make an important save and keep the scores level.
With both sides still pushing for a winner, Sur regained the lead in the 78th minute. Fahad al Hajri delivered a cross into the area, and Axel May rose well to head home his second goal of the night, sealing a crucial win for the hosts. Seven minutes of stoppage time were added, but Sur held firm to complete a result that lifted them to 28 points in eighth place and confirmed their survival. For Al Khabourah, the defeat left them on 21 points in 12th, still deep in the relegation fight.

AL RUSTAQ BLANK IBRI
At Al Rustaq Sports Complex, Al Rustaq registered their first home victory of the campaign with a 2-0 win over Ibri in a result that dealt a blow to the visitors’ survival hopes. Although Al Rustaq had already been relegated, they produced a disciplined display and showed greater composure in key moments.
Ibri came into the match under pressure, knowing a positive result could help them move further away from danger. They tried to impose themselves through the middle and along the flanks, but their attacking play lacked the finishing touch.
Al Rustaq, by contrast, made better use of their opportunities and played with purpose in front of their supporters. Cristian Catrina opened the scoring before Jaira Jov added a second to put the hosts in control. From there, Al Rustaq managed the contest well, limiting Ibri’s attacking threat and preserving a clean sheet until the final whistle.
The win moved Al Rustaq to 14 points, although they remained at the bottom of the standings, while Ibri stayed on 20 points in 13th place, still battling to avoid the drop with only two rounds remaining.