MUSCAT, AUG 12
The champions of 2022 AFC Cup, Seeb club, are all set to take another giant leap in their continental journey as they will face India’s FC Goa on Wednesday in a decisive playoff for a historic place in the AFC Champions League Group Stage. The match will take place at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday and it will start at 6 pm (Oman Time).
Under the guidance of experienced Romanian tactician Valeriu Tița, Seeb are aiming to become the first Omani club to reach the group stage of the newly formatted competition. The Muscat-based team has been in Goa since Saturday, acclimatising to local conditions and fine-tuning tactical and technical preparations. Tița has placed strong emphasis on attacking efficiency, urging his forwards to convert chances decisively and avoid missed opportunities.
The head coach will depend in this match on many experienced players including Mohammed al Musallami, Ali al Busaidy, Salah al Yahyaei, Arshad al Alawi, Abdullah Fawaz, Abdulaziz Sesse and Azhar al Ghbari besides other players. The majority of Seeb players are from the national team and this will give a high level of chemistry and on-field understanding.
For Seeb, the stakes are immense. Their continental reputation was cemented in 2022 when they lifted the AFC Cup in one of the most celebrated moments in Oman’s sporting history. Following a fourth league title in the 2024/25 season, the Muscat-based side now aim to add a new chapter by competing among Asia’s elite.
Seeb’s pre-season were very competitive, starting with a narrow Super Cup loss to Al Shabab on penalties after a goalless draw. They then participated in a four-team friendly tournament in Salalah, defeating Al Nasr 2-1, narrowly losing 1-0 to Oman’s Olympic tea, and later securing a 3-1 victory over Dhofar. The team has since been training intensively at their home base.
The club strengthened its roster with key signings including the latest with Senegalese forward Abdulaziz Sesse, returning star Marwan Tuaib al Siyabi, Oman international Abdullah Fawaz and striker Musab al Shaqsi. Several core players, including Ahmed al Rawahi, Zaher al Aghbari, Tamim al Balushi and Motasim al Wahaibi, have had their contracts renewed to ensure a blend of experience and fresh energy.
On the other hand, India’s FC Goa, runners-up in India’s domestic league and winners of the domestic cup for the second time in 2025, are no strangers to continental football, having reached the AFC Champions League Group Stage in 2021. With passionate home support expected in full force, they will have a better advantage. However, Seeb players are well trained and used to play in these conditions specially the experienced players from national team.
The winner of Wednesday’s showdown will book a coveted place in the AFC Champions League Two group stage, while the losing side will enter the AFC Challenge League.
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