Seeb edge Samail to extend lead on top of JL

Muscat: Seeb strengthened their hold on top spot in the Jindal League after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Samayil at Seeb Stadium in Round 19, while Sohar were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Khabourah at Al Rustaq Sports Complex.

Seeb made an early breakthrough in the ninth minute when Abdulmajid al Balushi rose well to head home a high ball beyond Samayil goalkeeper Alaa al Hamadani. The home side looked settled after the opener, but Samayil responded positively and began to grow into the match through the movement of Dawood al Jabri, Musab al Lamki and Hazza al Mushaifri.

Their pressure paid off in the 23rd minute when Muhannad al Hishami fired in the equaliser to bring Samayil back into the contest. Samayil continued to threaten as Seeb briefly retreated into their own half, while the leaders also searched for a second goal through a series of attacking attempts and set-piece situations. Both sides created chances in an evenly contested first half, which ended 1-1.

Seeb returned after the break with greater urgency and pushed forward in search of the winner, relying on the attacking presence of Omar al Malki, Abdulmajid al Balushi and Zaher al Aghbari. Their persistence was rewarded in the 62nd minute when Zaher al Aghbari converted from close range to restore Seeb’s lead. The draw moved Sohar to 32 points in fourth place, while Al Khabourah advanced to 16 points in 11th.

Seeb and Samayil players in action during the Jindal League.

Samayil tried to respond, but Seeb managed the game well in the closing stages and made several substitutions to preserve their advantage. The victory lifted Seeb to 48 points at the top of the standings, while Samayil remained 10th on 19 points.

SOHAR, AL KHABOURAH SHARE POINTS

At Al Rustaq Sports Complex, Al Khabourah and Sohar shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Al Khabourah, who had shown mixed form in recent rounds, took the lead in the 11th minute when Yousuf al Saadi headed in from a corner.

Sohar gradually worked their way into the game and created several opportunities before the break through Mohammed Ihab, Ammar al Rashdi and Victor Owen, but Al Khabourah held on to their lead going into half-time.

The visitors started the second half strongly and nearly levelled through substitute Dwayne Carl, whose first effort drifted over before he forced a save moments later. Sohar eventually found the equaliser in the 50th minute through Keita.

The match then opened up, with both teams trading attacks in search of a winner. Sohar came close late on through Abdullah al Mashaykhi, while Al Khabourah also threatened through John Paul, but neither side could find a second goal.