MUSCAT: Defending champions Al Nahda played out a 1-1 draw with five times winner Al Nasr in the His Majesty’s Cup semifinal first leg match at Al Buraimi Sports Complex on Tuesday. With the draw, both teams will have chances still of qualifying to the final with better advantage for Al Nasr as they will play in home and with one goal away. Both teams will meet in the second leg match of semifinals at Al Saada Sports Complex on March 11.
Al Buraimi representative team and the guests Al Nasr began the match carefully to avoid any early goal that will may put any team in a difficult situation. Al Mundher al Alawi and Essam al Subhi were the main strikers of Al Nahda in the front side, while Coach Mihai depended on Bahrain’s Mahdi al Humaidan and Abdullah Zaher beside the rest players in the starting list. In the 18th minute of first half, Omar al Malki put Al Nahda ahead after he converted a long cross ball from the corner to a goal through strong header. Later, Al Nasr, who reached to semis after they won against Fanja 2-1 in the first leg and 2-0 in the second leg game, worked hard to equalise beside Al Nahda’s attempts to raise the goaling difference but the opening half ended by Al Nahda leading 1-0.
In the following and deciding half, Al Nasr pressed hard towards Al Nahda’s goalie Ibrahim al Mukhaini. After 20 minutes from the second half start and several scoring opportunities, Al Nasr player Mohammed Abdul Hakeem found the target after he received a perfect ground ball inside the box from Carter to covert the ball to the target to make it 1-1 draw.
Following the goal, Al Nahda head coach Hamed al Azani did many substitutions in order to enter fresh players to the pitch. Al Nahda’s Hamood al Saadi missed a golden opportunity to score the second goal for his team after his strong ball hit the bar in the 85th minute. Later, the main referee Yahya al Balushi announced for the end of the match at 1-1 draw between the teams.
The other semifinal match of the His Majesty’s Cup football championship will be held on Wednesday between Bahla and Dhofar at Nizwa Sports Complex and the match will start 5:25 pm. The second leg match will be held on March 10 between Dhofar and Bahla at Al Saada Sports Complex.
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