Al Rustaq relegated after defeat against Al Shabab

MUSCAT: The third day of Round 23 in the Jindal League produced three significant outcomes, with Al Shabab securing a hard-fought win over Al Rustaq to consolidate second place, Al Khabourah and Saham playing out a goalless draw in a tense relegation battle and Al Nahda claimed a valuable away victory over Al Nasr.

At Seeb Stadium, Al Shabab overcame a struggling Al Rustaq 1-0 in a match that remained finely balanced until the closing stages. Al Rustaq began brightly and showed attacking intent early on, while Al Shabab initially found it difficult to impose itself.

The first half was short on clear-cut chances, although the hosts came closest after being awarded a penalty following a VAR review when the ball struck Al Rustaq captain Yousuf al Maamari’s hand. Maliko Kinyan stepped up, but his effort flew wide, wasting a major opportunity for Al Shabab.

The home side continued to press, and Kinyan later sent a powerful shot over the bar, while Al Rustaq also threatened, with foreign player Jaira Jov missing a good chance late in the half. After the break, Al Shabab pushed harder, and Kinyan struck the post in the 47th minute as the pressure mounted. Al Rustaq, however, remained organised and nearly stole the lead through substitute Luqman al Jadidi, whose effort drifted just over in the 70th minute.

The breakthrough finally came in the 82nd minute when substitute Musaab al Maamari delivered a precise ball for Mahmood Mubarak, who rose well and headed into the net. After a VAR check, the goal was confirmed, giving Al Shabab a crucial victory. The win lifted them to 50 points in second place, while Al Rustaq remained bottom on 11 points and were officially relegated to the First Division.

Al Khabourah and Saham players in action.

AL KHABOURAH, SAHAM SHARE SPOILS

At Al Rustaq Sports Complex, Al Khabourah and Saham settled for a 0-0 draw in a match shaped by caution and tension, with both sides still looking over their shoulders in the relegation fight. Saham made the sharper start and threatened through Ali al Hashmi and Mohsin Jawhar, while Al Khabourah responded with chances for Salem Habib and Salim Aal Abdulsalam, the latter striking the post in the first half.

The second half was slightly livelier, with Saham creating the better openings, including a clear chance for Mohammed al Maamari that Al Khabourah’s goalkeeper denied. Both coaches made attacking substitutions, but neither side could find the breakthrough. The draw moved Saham to 22 points in 10th place, while Al Khabourah reached 21 points in 12th.

Action from Al Nahda’s 1-0 win over Al Nasr in Round 23 of the Jindal League.

AL NAHDA EDGE AL NASR

At Al Saada Sports Complex, Al Nahda defeated Al Nasr 1-0 in another important result in the race for the upper positions. The two sides exchanged attacks in a cagey opening period before Al Nahda struck in the 36th minute on the counter through Jamal al Wahshi, with the goal confirmed after a VAR review.

Al Nasr improved after the interval and enjoyed more possession, but their final ball lacked precision despite several promising situations. Goalkeeper Fayez al Rushaidi produced an important save to protect Al Nahda’s lead, while Awad al Shahri and Jasim al Nofli both went close for Al Nasr. The visitors held firm, and Al Nasr’s Joel Muziviko was sent off in stoppage time to compound a frustrating evening. The result lifted Al Nahda to 44 points in fourth place, while Al Nasr remained third on 46.