MUSCAT: Dhofar and Al Nahda will both be eyeing to create history when they face off in the 2023-2024 HM Cup final on Friday at Khasab Sports Complex. The match will be played at Khasab in Musandam Governorate for the first time in history as one of the steps from the government to enhance hosting of the major sporting events in different governorates across the Sultanate of Oman.
As the season 2023-2024 approaches its end, the 10-time winners are targeting to snatch the 11th title in their history while the Al Buraimi based team are seeking to lift the trophy for a second successive time after emerging champions in the last edition against Seeb Club. Dhofar are targeting to end their season with their favourite competition HM Cup after they had won the cup ten times in 1977, 1980,1981, 1990,1999, 2005, 2007, 2012, 2020 and 2021. Salalah giants attended in many HM Cup finals as they had ended as runners up six times in 1972, 1982, 1984, 2002, 2009 and 2017.
Dhofar’s campaign to the final of the coveted cup was not easy as they faced off many tough teams. They managed to beat Saham in the last 16 round before defeating Oman Club in the quarterfinal. In the semifinal, Dhofar ended Bahla’s dreams to progress into the final as they secured slot in the final.
On the other side, Al Nahda will chase to defend their title specially after missing the top-tier league title as Seeb Club were crowned champions of this season on Tuesday. Coach Hamed al Azani’s men will work hard to complete their season on a bright note by clinching the coveted cup after a perfect season domestically and continentally in Asian AFC Cup. Al Nahda reached the final after they blanked Sur in the last 16 round before edging last edition runners-up Seeb in the quarterfinal. In the semifinal, the Al Buraimi representative club booked spot in the final after beating Al Nasr.
Al Azani’s side will not be lacking confidence after overcoming numerous challenges in the top flight league, OFA Cup and at AFC Cup. On the other hand, Dhofar will not accept any result except the triumph to ensure their determination in this event as they are holding the record for winning the title for most number of times.
Oman Football Association (OFA) announced on Wednesday the details of the press conference and the technical meeting which will take place on Thursday. The technical meeting will be held at Khasab Sports Complex at 11:00 am while the press conference in Atana Musandam Hotel at 4:00 pm. The match will kick off on Friday at 7:30 pm under the auspices of Sayyid Ibrahim bin Said al Busaidy, Governor of Musandam, in presence of top dignitaries and officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth besides attendance of Salim bin Said al Wahaibi, Chairman of the Oman Football Association.
The Governor of Musandam office in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and OFA will organise series of activities and events as sideline of the final match of the HM Cup including festivals and courts for food and entertainment in different locations in Khasab.
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