Al Rustaq are high on confidence after defeating Nizwa 2-0 in the quarterfinal first leg match of the His Majesty’s Cup at the Nizwa Sports Complex. The triumph meant the southern Batinah team got closer to the semifinal round of the coveted cup. Mohammed al Ghafri put Al Rustaq ahead in the 46th minute while Abdul Rahman al Ghassani scored the second goal for the visitors in the 76th minute. The second leg match is scheduled to kick off on February 11 at Al Rustaq Sports Complex.
The Salalah based team Al Nasr, earned advantage after blanking nine-time winners Fanja 2-0 at Al Saada Stadium in Salalah. Both of the goals were scored in the last 15 minutes of the match as Saad Suhail gave hosts Al Nasr the lead in the 79th minute and Hamed Said al Habsi scored the second goal five minutes later. The second leg semifinal will be held at Seeb Stadium on February 11.
SUR HOLD SEEB
Four-time champions Sur held Seeb to a goalless draw in the quarterfinal first leg match at the Sur Sports Complex late on Wednesday. Oman national team player and Seeb star Mohsin al Ghassani and his teammates could not break the strong defence line of the hosts. Seeb’s attempts did not find the target as all the scoring opportunities were stopped by the Sur defence line and the goalkeeper Sultan al Raqadi.
Despite the visitors domination in the match, they failed to score the goals. With the goalless draw, Sur will be in better position for the second-leg match which will take place on February 10 at Seeb Stadium. Scoring any goal in the away game and ending the match even in a draw will advance Sur to the semifinal.
Awadh on target
In the earlier match on Wednesday, Awadh al Shahri netted the most important goal to deliver crucial triumph for Dhofar against Al Suwaiq. With the win, the 10-time winners put one foot in the semifinal prior to the second leg match which is scheduled to take place on February 10 at Al Rustaq Sports Complex.
The first half ended in a goalless draw with better show from hosts Dhofar. Coach Rasheed Jaber’s men entered the second half with more confidence and well planned moves. After 19 minutes into the second half, Awadh al Shahri scored the only goal in the match after a perfect pass from Omar al Malki in the box. Qasim Said, Yazeed al Mashani and Omar al Malki worked hard later to increase the margin but Al Suwaiq defenders and the goalkeeper Mazin al Kasbi broke the attempts.
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