MUSCAT, APRIL 4
Al Shabab edged Oman Club 2-1 in an exciting match in the 15th round of Omantel League at the Seeb Sports Stadium on Wednesday.
The first half started quickly and actively, with competition in the middle of the field with mutual attempts to reach the respective penalty areas. But then, Oman Club players controlled the midfield through the possession and offensive style.
Al Shabab relied on the quick transition style and reliance on the flanks. The game continued and the exchange of opportunities between the two teams. In the 18th minute, Al Shabab won a penalty kick, but Oman Club’s goalkeeper Faris al Ghaithi saved it brilliantly.
Al Shabab did not back down after missing the penalty kick, and international player Lima was able to score the first goal for Al Shabab in the 24th minute. Al Shabab took advantage of the decline of Oman Club players to return to Bashar al Balushi and score the second goal in the 27th minute in the same way as the first goal. After the goal, Oman players tried to compensate and launched successive attacks, but the Shabab defence stopped them all. The first half ended with Shabab leading by two goals.
The second half started quickly by Oman players trying to return to the match and score a goal to reduce the difference, as Oman players created several dangerous chances on the Shabab goal. Algerian professional player Yezid won a penalty kick after he penetrated the opponent's area, and Osama Aqar scored it, announcing the first goal for Oman in the 52nd minute. After that, the match witnessed an increase in the pace of play amid attempts by Oman Club to equalise, while Shabab players retreated and relied on the defence and counter-attacks.
There were a number of changes made by the coaches to activate the performance. Despite the decline in Shabab's performance, they managed to win by 2-1.
This is Al Shabab's second consecutive victory, and their fourth consecutive match in the league without a loss, as they reached 18 points and jumped to seventh place temporarily.
On the other hand, this loss is the second in a row for Oman Club in the league. With this loss, their points stopped at 26 and they are third in the league standings.
The match was attended by Oman national team head coach Czech Jaroslav Silhavy and his assistant staff.
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