

MUSCAT: The curtain falls on the semifinal stage of the Government Institutions Eight Football Championship on Monday evening at Al Amal Sports Club 2025. Organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY), the tournament has seen intense competition, with four teams advancing to this stage after a challenging journey. Each team now faces a new test to secure a spot in the much-anticipated final.
In the first semifinal, the Royal Court Affairs team will go head-to-head with the State Audit Institution team at 6:25 pm. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education will clash with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology in the second match at 8:00 pm, promising thrilling encounters as all teams have displayed strong performances in the previous rounds.
Quarterfinal Thrills
The quarterfinal matches were marked by intensity and excitement, with all games being decided by penalty shootouts after fierce battles on the pitch. Royal Court Affairs edged past Muscat Municipality with a 4-3 victory, while the Ministry of Education overcame the Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries and Water Resources in a 5-4 shootout. In another match, the State Audit Institution eliminated the Royal Court Affairs with a 5-3 win. However, the most thrilling match of the round saw the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology triumph over the Ministry of Labour in a high-scoring 6-5 penalty shootout.
Salim al Ghazali, a player from the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, emphasised that reaching the semi-finals reflects the hard work and dedication of the team throughout the tournament. He stated: "Since our preparations began two months ago, our goal has been clear — to reach the advanced stages and compete for the title. We have faced teams with high-level players, which required us to maintain focus and tactical discipline to secure victories. Now, all our attention is on the upcoming match against the Ministry of Education, and we are determined to deliver our best performance to secure a place in the final." Al Ghazali also highlighted that the championship is not just about competition but also helps strengthen team spirit among employees while enhancing their technical and tactical skills, making it a well-rounded sporting experience.
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