Al Shabab keep up pressure on Seeb with win

Muscat, March 12

The opening matches of Round 17 in the Jindal Football League produced a series of key developments in the standings. Al Shabab maintained their pursuit of leaders Seeb with a valuable win over Sohar, while Samayil secured an important victory that deepened Al Rustaq’s struggles at the bottom of the table.

Oman Club, meanwhile, returned to winning ways against Ibri, as Sur and Saham played out a goalless draw.

Al Shabab claimed an important 2-1 win over visitors Sohar at Seeb Stadium to keep the pressure on league leaders Seeb. Despite Al Shabab’s superiority in the first half, Sohar took the lead in the 38th minute through Mohammed al Mujaini after a VAR review confirmed the goal.

In the second half, Al Shabab responded strongly and equalised in the 74th minute through Badr al Alawi after Yacine Sandou’s effort came back off the post. Kylian then scored the winner from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute. Deep into stoppage time, Al Shabab’s Abdulmajeed al Yahmadi was sent off, but the hosts held on for victory to move to 41 points, while Sohar remained fourth on 30 points.

SAMAYIL DEEPEN AL RUSTAQ'S WOES

Samayil secured a 2-1 away win over Al Rustaq at Al Rustaq Sports Complex, adding to the home side’s troubles near the foot of the table. Samayil took an early lead through Hazzaa al Mishaifri in the fourth minute, before Issa al Buraidi equalised for Al Rustaq in first-half stoppage time.

In the second half, substitute Osama al Zaabi scored the winner for Samayil in the 67th minute, while Al Rustaq missed a golden chance to level the score after failing to convert a late penalty. The result lifted Samayil to 18 points in ninth place, while Al Rustaq stayed bottom with five points.

SUR HOLD SAHAM

Sur and Saham played out a goalless draw in a match marked by caution and a lack of attacking sharpness, although Sur were relatively the better side in the first half and Saham improved after the break. Sur missed several chances through Bader al Jabri and Sameh al Hosni, while Saham’s best opportunity came from Émy Marcelin, whose strike hit the crossbar.

In the second half, Saham looked more dangerous going forward through Marcelin and Mohsin Jawhar, while Sur relied on counter-attacks, but neither side was able to break the deadlock. Saham moved up to 20 points in eighth place, while Sur reached 14 points in 11th.

OMAN CLUB BEAT IBRI

Oman regained balance with a valuable 2-1 win over Ibri at Nizwa Sports Complex in a match that was particularly lively in the first half. Ziki Omo gave Oman an early lead in the second minute, before Bissan Jacquies equalised for Ibri in the 16th minute. Mohammed bin Salim al Maashari then restored Oman’s lead with the second goal in the 44th minute.

In the second half, Oman held on to their advantage thanks to solid defending and an impressive display from goalkeeper Abdulaziz al Hosni, despite Ibri’s continued efforts to fight back. The win lifted Oman Club to 24 points in seventh place, while Ibri remained 13th on 13 points.