Al Nahda edge Olympic team to clinch Khareef Cup

MUSCAT: Al Nahda were crowned champions of the Kahreef Football Tournament after defeating the Oman Olympic national team on penalties in the final match, held at Al Saada Sports Complex in Salalah under the auspices of Sayyid Nadir bin Al Julanda al Said, Secretary-General at the Diwan of Royal Court.

The final began with clear tactical caution from both sides, as each team spent the opening minutes reading the opponent’s movements and attempting to control the midfield. Al Nahda looked more active in attack through the movements of Mohammed al Ghafri, while the Olympic team relied on short passes and quick runs from Masoud al Bahri and Mohammed Bait Subeea.

In the ninth minute, Al Nahda thought they had opened the scoring through Al Ghafri, who followed up a cross and slotted it into the net. However, after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed for a foul on the striker. This decision fired up Al Nahda, who continued pressing, while the Olympic team relied on counter-attacks, exploiting the speed on the wings.

Al Nahda's players receive the trophy.

The match continued with alternating control until the 29th minute, when Al Nahda broke the deadlock through Al Ghafri, who capitalised on a precise cross that slipped past the Olympic defenders and placed it into goalkeeper Ibrahim al Kindi’s net. After the goal, the game’s tempo increased, and the Olympic team sought a quick reply. In the 35th minute, Majid al Mashaikhi unleashed a powerful shot that Al Rashidi saved superbly. The final minutes of the first half saw sustained pressure from the Olympic team, but Al Nahda’s defence stood firm, ending the half 1-0 in Al Nahda’s favour.

At the start of the second half, Al Nahda's coach made a tactical change, bringing on Ali al Hinai for Al Azhar al Balushi to strengthen the midfield and control play. Meanwhile, the Olympic team increased their attacking push. In the 52nd minute, Mohammed Bait Subeea fired a powerful shot just over the bar, followed by sustained pressure on Al Nahda’s flanks.

Al Nahda sought to exploit the spaces left behind and nearly doubled their lead in the 60th minute when Al Ghafri’s counter-attack strike went just wide of the post. The Olympic team continued their pressure, prompting coach Badr al Maimani to make attacking changes in the 68th minute by bringing on Abdulhakim al Rawahi and Said al Ghanbousi to energise the frontline.

Oman Olympic team finished runner-ups of the khareef tournament.

LATE EQUALISER

In the 70th minute, Luqman al Hadidi launched a fierce strike that Al Rashidi brilliantly saved.

Al Nahda did not sit back and tried to secure the win in the 75th minute when Al Ghafri headed a cross narrowly wide. The pressure persisted until the 83rd minute when Olympic team captain Mohammed Bait Subeea equalised after a scramble in the penalty area, slotting the ball into the net.

The score remained 1–1 at the end of regular time, sending the match to penalties. Al Nahda triumphed 4–3 in the shoot-out. Ahmed al Kaabi, Jumaa al Zaabi, Al Faraj al Kiyoumi and Harib al Saadi scored for Al Nahda, while Nasser al Saqri, Mohammed Bait Subeea and Said al Ghanbousi scored for the Olympic team.

After the match, the guest of honour presented Al Nahda with the tournament trophy and gold medals, while the Olympic team received silver medals. The refereeing and administrative teams were also honoured, and the chairman of the Oman Football Association presented a commemorative gift to the guest of honour.