MUSCAT: Muscat edged out Seeb 21-20 in a thrilling final to bag the title of Youth Handball League 2023-24 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. With this triumph, Muscat claimed a double as they won the junior championship earlier.
Nizwa finished third in the Youth League after leading Salalah 10-0 and the rivals withdrew from the match.
The closing ceremony was held under the auspices of Shaikh Rashid bin Mohammed al Saadi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Musannah Club, who was accompanied by Dr Saeed al Shehri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman Handball Association.
The final on Tuesday night witnessed a neck-and-neck fight between the familiar opponents. Muscat opened the scoring with Saud al Hassani.
Seeb responded with strong attacks but Mohammed al Maharami could not utilise the penalty throw. Al Mahrami made amends for missing the penalty by scoring the equaliser soon and put Seeb in lead with his second goal from a penalty. Muscat drew level through Mohammed al Hadidi.
Seeb goalkeeper Fahd al Maashari was a stumbling block for Muscat forwards with his brilliant saves. Seeb raced to a 7-3 lead after 15 minutes. Muscat reduced the margin before the end of first-half to 12-9.
Seeb continued their advantage in the second half with Omar al Balushi adding their 13th goal.
Seeb keeper meanwhile again thwarted several Muscat attacks before conceding two goals that helped reduce the gap for Muscat when Mohammed al Hasani and Mohammed al Hadidi were on target.
For Seeb, Saeed al Hassani, Al Yazan al Busaidy and Mohammed al Mahrami were active with either scoring or providing assists. Seeb led Muscat 17-14 after 15 minutes in the second half.
Five minutes to go, Muscat came close to a two-goal difference with Seeb at 20-18.
Muscat caught up with Seeb 20-20 in the closing minutes and earned a penalty in the final moments of the match. Mohammed al Hasani kept his cool to net the winner from the penalty spot as Muscat prevailed 21-20.
The match was moderated by referees Hisham al Daghaishi and Hussein al Hasani, Sultan al Siyabi and Samir al Siyabi were the table referees and former international referee Bashir al Busaidi was the match observer.
FUTURE TALENTS
Chief guest Shaikh Rashid bin Mohammed al Saadi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Musannah Club, said he enjoyed the thrilling final.
OHA Chairman Dr Saeed al Shehri said the final lived up to the expectations showing the competitiveness of the clubs in the league.
“The league was a good platform for the upcoming handball talents. The OHA will always try to help clubs in preparing their players.”
He said the smaller number of clubs in the junior and youth league competitions was due to the inability of some clubs to get their players available for the events due to their academic schedule.
Muscat Club Chairman Nasr al Wahaibi said the triumph was the result of the club’s dedicated attention to its junior players.
He pointed out that the technical staff led by coach Majid al Hassani and his assistants made great efforts in grooming the club’s junior and youth teams which both clinched the top podiums in the respective categories this season.
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