Al Shabab stay in hunt with win over Al Nahda

Muscat, Feb 26

Al Shabab secured a valuable 3-1 victory over their visitors Al Nahda, at Seeb Sports Stadium in the postponed match from Round 14 of the Jindal League.

With this victory, Al Shabab raised their tally to 35 points in second place, three points behind leaders Seeb. Al Nahda remain on 25 points in fifth place, with two postponed matches still to play.

Al Shabab imposed their dominance from the opening minutes through organised advances and attempts to build dangerous attacks on goalkeeper Fayez al Rushaidi’s goal, capitalising on the runs of Ahmed al Riyami and the movements of Kenean Markina. Despite that, they found it difficult to break through Al Nahda’s tactical organisation, as the visitors entered the match determined to improve their negative results in the league.

The rhythm of the match changed with Al Shabab’s opening goal in the 18th minute, when Kenean Markina found the net after an individual effort inside the penalty area, dribbling past more than one defender before firing a low shot into the goal. Following the goal, Al Nahda tried to reorganise and regain balance, with improved midfield movement and through balls creating chances for Hamad al Habsi, Mohammed al Ghafri and Berry Jean. However, goalkeeper Abdulmalik al Badri and Al Shabab’s defence preserved the lead.

Before the end of the first half, Al Shabab capitalised on a counterattack to double their advantage in the 31st minute. Yassine Saindou received the ball inside the box from the left side, dribbled past the defence, and struck a powerful shot into a difficult angle, ending the first half with Al Shabab leading 2-0.

At the start of the second half, Al Nahda’s Portuguese coach made two immediate substitutions in search of a quick response. The team appeared improved, increasing their attacking attempts in the opening 15 minutes, with both goalkeepers delivering strong performances.

PRESERVING ADVANTAGE

Meanwhile, Al Shabab’s Dutch coach Eelco Schattorie managed the match pragmatically and introduced changes to reinforce his side’s advantage. Yassine translated that into a third goal in the 53rd minute after receiving a pass inside the box from Kenean, finishing with a low shot to the right of Al Rushaidi after exploiting Al Nahda’s high pressing and space left behind.

Al Nahda then intensified their pressure and managed to reduce the deficit in the 74th minute when substitute Abdulrahman al Ghassani scored following a scramble inside the penalty area. The final minutes were heated as Al Nahda pushed forward in search of another goal. Still, Al Badri’s alertness and solid defensive interventions prevented any further change in the score, and the match ended with a deserved 3-1 win for Al Shabab. The match was attended by the technical staff of the national team, led by Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz.