MUSCAT: Qurayat, Sohar, Dhofar and Masirah have claimed the final four qualification spots for the final rounds of the 55th edition of the His Majesty's Cup Hockey 2025, following the decisive playoff matches held on Wednesday. The matches witnessed fierce competition and dramatic battles to seize the remaining tickets.
Qurayat thumped Oman Club 8–2 in the decisive match played at the Hockey Oman Stadium in Al Amerat, delivering a dominant attacking performance from the opening minutes.
Qurayat opened the scoring through Sufyan Saeed Nasser in the 12th minute after a well-coordinated attack. Mohammed bin Mubasher al Balushi doubled the lead in the 15th minute, ending the first period 2–0 ahead.
In the second quarter, the team extended their lead through Said al Fazari in the 17th minute and Hamza Ali in the 29th minute, closing the first half comfortably at 4–0.
Qurayat’s dominance continued in the third quarter, with Mohammed bin Mubasher al Balushi netting the fifth goal and his third of the match. Oman reduced the gap through Aws al Zadjali from a penalty corner in the 36th minute. Qurayat quickly responded through Azid al Fazari, also from a penalty corner, before Al Balushi completed his personal hat-trick with the seventh goal in the 43rd minute.
In the final quarter, Al Zadjali scored Oman’s second goal, but Azid al Fazari sealed the result with an eighth goal from a penalty corner in the 58th minute, securing a well-deserved qualification for Qurayat.
DHOFAR CLAIM GROUP C SPOT
Dhofar booked their place in the final phase after defeating Mirbat 5–3 in a thrilling playoff match at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex in Salalah.
Dhofar started strong with a fourth-minute opener by Basim bin Khater Dorbin, followed by a second goal from Abdullah bin Mohammed al Nubi in the 8th minute. Despite Mirbat’s attempts to respond, Dhofar ended the first quarter 2–0 ahead.
The second quarter saw balanced play and exchanged attacks. Mirbat missed a chance to narrow the gap from a penalty corner, brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Hisham Nazar. Abdullah al Raa extended the lead with a third goal in the 24th minute.
Early in the third quarter, Dhofar widened the margin with a penalty stroke converted by Abdullah al Raa in the 32nd minute, before Mohammed Akgak added a fifth goal from a penalty corner. Mirbat finally found the net through Mohammed bin Salem al Toubi. They enhanced their comeback hopes with a second goal from a penalty corner scored by Yusuf bin Salem Yusuf in the 50th minute, followed by a third from Mzeed Abdulhakim in the 51st minute, but Dhofar held firm until the final whistle.
SOHAR, MASIRAH ADVANCE
Sohar qualified for the final stage without playing after Saham failed to show up for the playoff match scheduled at the Sohar Sports Complex. Sohar were awarded a 5–0 win in accordance with the Oman Hockey Association regulations. The Sohar team and match officials attended the venue and waited the required 15 minutes before the match was officially forfeited and the result confirmed.
In the last playoff match, Masirah beat Rustaq 4–2 to secure the fourth and final qualification ticket for the knockout stage. Masirah’s goals came through Al Baraa al Nofli (9’ and 56’), Nasser al Nofli (40’), and Khalid al Balushi (43’). Rustaq’s goals were scored by Khalid al Nofli (22’) and Mahmoud al Sheedi (25’).
With this, the list of teams qualified for the final rounds scheduled from November 2 to 12 at the Hockey Oman Stadium in Al Amerat is now complete, featuring clubs from both the Elite and Challenger categories.
The eight qualified teams have been drawn into two groups as Group 5 features Ahli Sidab, Salalah, Dhofar and Masirah. Group 6 includes Seeb, Al Amerat, Qurayat and Sohar.
The final-round matches begin next Sunday, starting with Ahli Sidab vs Masirah, followed by Salalah vs Dhofar.
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