Al Nasr, Seeb advance to HM Cup semifinals

Muscat, Feb 11

Al Nasr defeated nine times winner Fanja 2-0 in the second leg fixture of the quarterfinal round of the HM Cup on Friday at Seeb Stadium.

The first leg game had ended with the same result for Al Nasr 2-0 on January 20. With the 4-0 aggregate triumph, the five times champions booked a spot in the semifinals of the prestigious cup.

Both goals of the match were scored in the second half as the first half of the game ended in a goalless draw. In the 64th minute, Al Nasr’s Mohammed al Sudani led his team through scoring the opening goal after assistance from Omar Adil who passed the ball to Mohammed and then he slotted the ball home.

The goal gave Al Nasr’s players more power for seeking other goals. Fanja missed the service of Nouh al Zadjali who received a red card in the 49th minute.

Many scoring attempts were missed by the substitute Said Al Ruzaiqi and others until Abdullah Nouh’s strike in the dying minutes ensured Al Nasr’s direct ticket to move into the second stage of the HM Cup.

Seeb to semis

Late on Thursday, Seeb secured a slot among the top four in the semifinal of the coveted cup as they beat Sur 3-0 at Seeb Stadium.

The first leg match of quarterfinal match ended in a goalless draw at Sur Sports Complex on January 19. With the aggregate result ending 3-0, the Muscat based team moved to the next round and the hopes raised for targeting fourth title.

Seeb scored an early goal as Abdulaziz al Maqbali netted the opening goal in the first minute after perfect assistance from Mohsin al Ghasssani.

The hosts led the first half time 1-0. In the following half, Sur club tried to return to the match as the head coach Salim al Najashi did many substitutions to enter new faces.

However, Seeb managed to dominate and Mohsin al Ghassani struck the second goal in the 50th minute before Marwan Taeeb al Siyabi confirmed Seeb’s qualification to the next round in the 63th minute.

Sur played with ten players in the second half as the referee Ahmed al Kaaf showed a second yellow card to Armand Nmki.

The draw of the semifinal round will take place on Sunday at Seeb Stadium. Dhofar, Seeb and Al Nasr have confirmed their attendance in the semis. The fourth team will be the winner of the Nizwa-Al Rustaq match.