Dhofar hang on to lead

Muscat: Salalah giants Dhofar remained on top of Omantel League after holding close rivals Seeb 1-1 in a key clash of the 13th week on Tuesday night.

At Al Saada Stadium, Dhofar managed to end the winter season at the top of the table with 27 points, while Seeb stayed close with 26 points.

Dhofar head coach Rasheed Jaber, said post the match that the top fixtures normally accept all the results. “Dhofar were the better side as we controlled the game. Our strikers missed many scoring attempts which could have put the team in better position. A special thanks to all the spectators who supported the team during the game,” he said.

The match began with both teams looking for an opening goal.

Seeb’s Abdulaziz al Maqbali tried in different opportunities to penetrate the opponents' defence but all his chances were broke by the Dhofar defenders and goalkeeper Suleiman al Buraiki.

In the following half, both the coaches implemented different tactics with an aim of ending the match on winning side.

The hosts players pressed hard towards Seeb side and Yazeed al Mashani was very close to score the opening goal as his shot hit the bar. After series of chances, Dhofar’s Omar al Malki managed to register the first goal in the game through a strong header in the 61st minute after perfect assist from experienced midfielder Ali Salim.

After the goal, Seeb bounced back to the match and were seeking for the equaliser. In the last 10 minutes, former Dhofar player Mohammed al Musallami struck the eqauliser to snatch a crucial point for the visitors.

NIZWA POST SECOND WIN

Nizwa registered their second successive win in the league as they defeated Bahla 2-1 in a home match at the Nizwa Sports Complex. The hosts goals were netted by Kamara (16 and 57 minutes) while the consolation goal for the visitors was scored by Ayman al Mukhaini (45).

Despite the triumph, the Al Dhakhaliya team is still in the danger zone while Bahla remained in 10th place with 11 points.

In another match, Al Nasr snatched three crucial points from hosts Muscat as they came from behind to register a 2-1 victory.

At the Seeb Stadium, Mundher al Wahaibi put Muscat ahead in the first half in the 38th minute. Fahad Adil equalised in the 57th minute before former national team player Said al Ruzaiqi netted the most important goal in the game in the dying minutes (92). The victory took Al Nasr to 25 points in the third place while Muscat remained 11th with 11points.

At Sohar sports Complex, Al Rustaq clinched an important win as they edged Sohar 2-0. The triumph helped Al Rustaq to fourth place with 22 points while Sohar were seventh with 18 points.