MUSCAT: Muscat-based team Al Amerat and Dhofar powerhouse Salalah will vie for maiden title when they will meet on Tuesday in the final of the 2024 His Majesty’s Hockey Cup Championship at the Hockey Oman Stadium in Al Amerat.
The summit clash of the coveted cup will kick off at 7 pm under the auspices of Harib bin Thuwaini al Said, who will be the chief guest and will present the prestigious trophy to the winning team in the presence of dignitaries and officials.
Al Amerat, participating in the HM’s Hockey Cup Championship for the first time, secured slot to the final following their dramatic win over former champions Al Nasr 7-5 in the semifinal. Salalah, on the other hand, edged out Ahli Sidab 2-1 in their semifinal clash to earn their place in the summit showdown. Ahead of the final match, Al Nasr will play against Ahli Sidab in the third and fourth play-off game.
Both teams will look to end their journey in the top domestic hockey event on a successful note and clinch the historic title. Al Amerat finished group stage as leaders of Group B.
Al Amerat commenced their matches with a big win of 16-0 against Dhofar and they ended their match against Salalah by 2-2 draw before snatching a crucial 3-1 win against Seeb to head the group order. Salalah ended second in Group B and they managed to beat Seeb 3-1 in the opening match before playing out a 2-2 draw against Al Amerat and then ending their match against Dhofar with a 2-2 draw.
Head coach of Al Amerat club, Mohammed al Darmaki, said that the team is in perfect status to win the desired title. “I am very proud of my players for their resilience, especially their comebacks against Seeb and Al Nasr in the semis. This reflects the team’s confidence to bounce back anytime during the match. I thank the club’s board for their unwavering support,” he added.
Mohammed al Batrani, head coach of Salalah club, affirmed that the final match will be tough. “It will be a tough game against Al Amerat, who are also seeking their first title. Our team’s return to the finals since 2022 is a significant achievement. We had a challenging semifinal against Ahli Sidab, but now our focus is entirely on the final. I have studied Al Amerat well and have developed the right strategy for this decisive match,” he said.
This edition of the tournament featured 16 clubs including: Ahli Sidab, Seeb, Al Amerat, Qurayat, Dhofar, Al Nasr, Salalah, Al Ittihad, Mirbat, Sohar, Saham, Al Salam, Al Rustaq, Al Nahda, Al Shabab and Masirah.
Established in 1971, His Majesty’s Hockey Cup is one of Oman’s most prestigious sports championships. Oman Club dominated the early years, winning the inaugural title and securing victories through 1974. Since then, clubs like Al Ahli, Al Nahda, Muttrah, Seeb and Ahli Sidab have left their mark on the tournament. Sohar claimed their maiden title in 2021, followed by Al Nasr in 2022 and another Sohar victory in 2023.
The champions of this year’s edition will be awarded the prestigious trophy, 30 gold medals, and a cash prize of RO 40,000. The runners-up will receive 30 silver medals and RO 25,000, while the third-placed team will be honoured with bronze medals and RO 15,000.
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