Muscat, Nov 6
Al Amerat continued their strong run in the final rounds of the 55th edition of HM Hockey Cup 2025, after securing a sweeping 6–0 victory over Sohar on Wednesday in the second round of Group 6 matches, officially booking the first ticket to the semifinals of the tournament being held at the Hockey Oman Stadium in Al Amerat.
Al Amerat began the match with an attacking approach, and early pressure paid off with the opening goal in the seventh minute through Uttam Singh from a field goal after a well-organised attack finished with a precise strike.
In the 12th minute, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay doubled the score with a second field goal, ending the first quarter with Al Amerat leading 2–0.
Al Amerat maintained their dominance and added a third goal in the 21st minute through Uttam Singh from a penalty corner, marking his second of the match and extending the lead to 3–0 by half-time.
In the third quarter, Al Amerat intensified attacks, with Aiman Farj Khatim scoring the fourth and fifth goals in the 32nd and 38th minutes, both from field goals, giving his team a comfortable advantage heading into the final quarter.
Despite Sohar’s attempts to respond, Al Amerat remained the more focused and effective side. Aliyas al Noufali sealed the goal fest with a sixth in the 59th minute from a penalty corner, confirming a 6–0 victory and his team’s qualification to the semifinals.
FOUR-GOAL THRILLER
In the second match of the same group, an exciting 4–4 draw prevailed between Seeb and Qurayat, keeping the race for the second semifinal ticket wide open between Seeb, Sohar and Qurayat, with the final decision expected on Friday.
The match began with balanced play, with a slight advantage for Seeb in ball possession, while Qurayat relied on counter-attacks, but without real danger on either goal, ending the first quarter goalless.
Qurayat opened the scoring in the 26th minute through Ashraf al Nasri from a penalty corner, ending the first half with a 1–0 lead.
Just after the start of the third quarter, Hamza Ali doubled the lead in the 36th minute with a field goal, before Seeb reduced the deficit in the 44th minute through Abharan from a field goal, making it 2–1.
However, Qurayat quickly struck again with a third goal in the 45th minute through Ashraf al Nasri from a penalty stroke, ending the third quarter 3–1 ahead.
At the start of the final quarter, the same player continued his brilliance, adding the fourth goal from a penalty stroke in the 47th minute to complete his hat-trick, giving Qurayat a 4–1 lead.
But Seeb refused to give up, and Mandeep ignited the match with a historic hat-trick in under two minutes scoring the their second goal from a penalty corner in the 53rd minute, then adding two quick goals in the 54th minute, the first from a field goal and the second from a penalty corner that secured a valuable 4–4 draw.
The semifinals will be held next Saturday, with the winner of Group 5 facing the runner-up of Group 6, and the winner of Group 6 facing the runner-up of Group 5. The third-place match will take place on Sunday, while the tournament will conclude with the final on Monday, November 10.
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