MUSCAT,: The 2026 Al Shabab Club Cup kicked off in a special Ramadhan atmosphere, as Al Ittihad Sports Ground hosted a high-profile regional derby between Al Ittihad and Santos on the first day of the holy month of Ramadhan.
The match lived up to expectations, delivering a tactically disciplined and highly competitive encounter. Backed by strong home support, Al Ittihad began the game determined to control the tempo, while Santos relied on compact defensive organisation and swift counterattacks.
Al Ittihad applied early pressure, creating several attacking moves through the flanks and central build-up play. Santos, however, remained well-structured at the back, successfully neutralising much of the home side’s threat. Despite chances at both ends, the first half ended goalless.
The intensity increased in the second half as both teams battled for midfield dominance. Santos nearly broke the deadlock on a quick counterattack, but Al Ittihad’s defence stood firm. Persistence eventually paid off for the hosts when Ahmed al Khuzairi scored the decisive goal, finishing off a well-worked move with a precise strike that sparked jubilant celebrations among the home supporters.
Santos pushed forward in the closing stages in search of an equaliser, committing more players to attack, but Al Ittihad managed the final minutes with discipline and composure to secure a 1–0 victory.
The opening derby confirmed that this year’s tournament promises intense competition, highlighted by passionate fan support and closely matched teams. With this win, Al Ittihad claimed their first three points of the campaign, marking a strong start to their quest for the title on a memorable Ramadhan night.
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