MUSCAT: Defending champions Seeb capitalised on the opportunity of Al Suwaiq losing a player early in the match to pump in three goals and march into the final of the HM’s Cup on Sunday.
At the Al Rustaq complex, Seeb opened the account through mercurial forward Abdulaziz al Maqbali towards the end of the first-half.
Ahmed al Busaidi made it 2-0 in the 62nd minute while Mohsin al Ghassani confirmed the Seeb triumph in the 71st minute. Seeb will take on Al Nahda in the final at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher on March 9.
Al Nahda beat Al Rustaq in the first semifinal 1-0 on Saturday.
The first-leg matches of both the semifinals ended in goalless draws. In the 24th minute, Ismail Kuwako got his second yellow of the match for an ‘unsporting’ foul on Seeb forward Abdulaziz al Maqbali.
Referee Ahmed al Kaf flashed a red card as Al Suwaiq lost one player on the ground.
Ten minutes later, Seeb got a free kick on the left flank but could not utilise it effectively.
Seeb attacked more vigorously in the coming minutes with Salah al Yahyai unleashing a firm shot which went over.
Seeb missed a golden chance in the 39th minute when a dangerous cross from Salah al Yahyai was shot out by Mohammed al Habsi.
Essam al Subhi, who tried to break through to the Seeb penalty box, was well contained by the Seeb defence in the first-half. Abdulaziz al Maqbali showed there is still vigour in him when the veteran forward sliced a header past a diving Al Suwaiq goalkeeper Fayez al Rushaidi in the additional time of the first-half.
Like in many occasions it was yet another brilliant work of assist from Salah al Yahyai on the left flank, which led to the goal for Seeb.
SECOND RED
Al Suwaiq came close to score an equaliser in the opening minutes of the second-half. Abdullah al Habashi’s free-kick just outside the box was brilliantly parried away by Seeb goalkeeper Ahmed al Rawahi to avoid the danger.
Seeb captain Eid al Farsi got a yellow card for arguing to the referee over the free kick.
Juma Al Habsi came in for Mohammad Ramadan next.
After an Al Suwaiq attack, which threatened the Seeb defence, Seeb organised a quick counter to increase the lead.
Midfielder Ahmed al Busaidi was accurate from the left side of the Al Suwaiq penalty box to place the ball past Fayez al Rushaidi as Seeb went 2-0 up in the 62nd minute.
Al Suwaiq lost their second player on the ground when Saud al Habsi was shown a red card by referee Ahmed al Kaf for bringing down Abdulaziz al Maqbali close to the penalty box in the 70th minute.
Mohsin al Ghassani’s firm free kick from outside the box found the Al Suwaiq net for the third time in the 71st minute.
Al Suwaiq could only defend themselves against further goals in the remaining time as Seeb completed the proceedings with a 3-0 score to cruise into the final.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
