Al Nasr edge Saham to climb second in JL

Muscat: Al Nasr’s strengthened their presence near the top of the Jindal League standings after securing a valuable 1–0 victory over hosts Saham at Al Saada Sports Complex, in Round 13 of the 2025-26 season.

The match began cautiously from both sides before the balance gradually tilted in Al Nasr’s favour during the first half, as they controlled possession without creating clear-cut threats. Fahad Adel nearly opened the scoring early in the fifth minute with a counterattack, firing a powerful shot just wide of goalkeeper Muhannad al Maamari’s post. continued their pressure, and in the 25th minute Mohammed Abdulhakim tested the keeper with a firm strike, but Al Maamari reacted brilliantly to keep the scores level at half-time.

The tempo increased after the break, with both teams improving their performance. Saham looked more dangerous in their attempts to reach Ibrahim Al Rajhi’s goal. In the 61st minute, Al Nasr missed a golden chance on the counter as Beninese professional Abdul Fadel Swanoun headed Yazid al Maashani’s cross narrowly past the post. Al Maamari once again stood out, denying Yousef al Khalili in the 64th minute and tipping substitute Khalid al Salmi’s header away in the 71st, before producing another save from a powerful effort by Al Maashani in the 82nd minute.

Al Nasr finally broke the deadlock late in the game. In the 86th minute, Hussain al Shihri rose highest to meet Turki Abdullah’s precise cross and headed the ball into Saham’s net, earning his side three precious points. The exchanges continued until the final whistle confirmed Al Nasr’s narrow win.

The victory lifted Al Nasr to 28 points, temporarily moving them up to second place with Al Shabab and Al Nahda’s match postponed, while Saham remained eighth with 16 points.

Sohar player makes a shot challenged by Sur player.

SOHAR, SUR SHARE POINTS

Elsewhere in the same round, Sohar and Sur shared the spoils in a 1–1 draw at Sohar Sports Complex.

The match delivered a moderate technical level, with Sur enjoying a brighter start as they searched for an early goal. In the second minute, Abdulaziz al Ghailani struck a direct free kick that goalkeeper Majdi Shaaban pushed away for a corner. Moments later, Waleed al Saadi rose to meet a corner kick but failed to convert a promising chance.

Sohar relied on wing play and central penetration to create opportunities, producing several attempts that carried some danger but lacked a finishing touch. Just before half-time, deep into stoppage time (47’), Sohar opened the scoring through Ammar al Rashdi, who finished off a well-worked move following a precise cross from Owen inside the penalty area.

Sur returned with greater determination in the second half, pressing continuously through crosses and set pieces that unsettled Sohar’s defence. Despite the hosts’ efforts to slow the tempo, Sur’s pressure paid off in dramatic fashion when Waleed al Saadi netted the equaliser in the 92nd minute, converting a corner with a close-range finish past Shaaban.

The draw earned each side a point, taking Sohar to 26 points in fourth place, while Sur moved to nine points, remaining second from bottom in the standings.