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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Al Nahda storm into HM Cup final

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Muscat, Feb 25


Al NAHDA marched into the final of the 2022-23 His Majesty’s Cup football championship after beating Al Rustaq 1-0 in an exciting return semifinal encounter at Al Buraimi Sports Complex on Saturday.


Substitute Sami al Hasani netted the all-important goal in the dying minutes after receiving a cross from another substitute Mansoor al Naimi.


The first leg match ended in a goalless draw on February 21 at Al Rustaq Sports Complex.


With the victory, Al Nahda booked a spot in the final which is scheduled to take place on March 9 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.


The other side of the coveted cup’s final will be decided in Sunday's clash between Al Suwaiq and Seeb in the second-leg semifinal which will be played in Al Rustaq Sports Complex. The match will start at 5:25 pm.


It will be the fourth final for Al Buraimi representatives after they reached to the final in 2008, 2013 and 2014.


In front of their home crowd at Al Buraimi Sports Complex, Al Nahda players were seeking for an opening goal that will position the team in a perfect place during the game.


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The experienced coach Hamed al Azani’s instructions were very clear for his striker Abdulwase al Matri, Al Mundher al Alawi and Gui Oxnis for pressing towards the opponents' side and avoid missing any scoring attempts.


On the other side, the visitors were very careful in the back line as they defended their goal properly and later they raised their presence in the attacking area for the same target to take the lead in the match. The first half did not register any goals from both teams and ended at a goalless draw.


In the second half, Al Rustaq were the better side as they missed many scoring attempts.


Al Rustaq’s Mazin al Saadi was very close to score the opening goal in the match but his shot in the 63rd minute went outside the net.


Later, Al Nahda sensing the danger after continuous attacks from the visitors, started to create some attacking chances.


In the 62nd minute, Abdulwase received a perfect cross ball to make an effort but it was saved by goalkeeper Ibrahim al Mukhaini. Al Rustaq’s response was quick as the active player Linga Leci Perca tried to shoot a strong ball from outside the box but his shot went off a defender for a corner kick.


Keeper Al Mukhaini saved another crucial scoring attempt from Al Rustaq's Musaab al Mamari in 77th minute. In the dying minute of the regulation time, Al Rustaq players dominated in order to find the net but their attempts were stopped by strong Al Nahda defence and an active goalkeeper.


In the extra-time, Abdulrahman al Ghassani was in front of the goalie and he missed the chance in the 96th minute. Before the match end by three minutes and in the 117th minute, Sami al Hasani scored for Al Nahda as he benefited from Al Rustaq defender’s mistake inside the box to guide the ball to the net of goalkeeper Bilal al Balushi. The crucial goal in the second-half of extra-time was enough to take Al Nahda to the final match of the coveted cup.


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