MUSCAT: Bahla made an emphatic start to the 2026-27 Sohar International Cup with a 5-0 victory over Sur, while Dhofar defeated Al Nasr 3-1 and Oman Club shared the points with Fanja following a 1-1 draw as Group 1 action launched the new domestic football season on Tuesday.
The competition was previously known as the Oman Football Association Cup. It has been renamed the Sohar International Cup after Sohar International became the official and exclusive sponsor of the tournament for the 2026–27 season.
Fourteen Jindal League clubs are competing in two geographically divided groups of seven. The group stage is played in a single round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group progressing directly to the semifinals. Sohar enter the tournament as defending champions after beating Al Nahda 1-0 in last season’s final to claim their first title in the competition.
Bahla produced the standout performance of the opening day, sweeping aside Sur at Sur Sports Complex. Faisal al Aghbari gave the visitors a perfect start in the fourth minute, converting Husni al Hinai’s cross to open the scoring.
Mohammed al Aufi doubled the advantage in the 21st minute after latching onto a through ball and directing his effort into the corner. Sur struggled to establish a consistent attacking threat, while their defence appeared vulnerable against Bahla’s organised movement.
The visitors could have added a third before the interval, but Sur goalkeeper Ahmed al Araimi denied Yazeed al Rawahi following a one-on-one opportunity in the 25th minute.
Bahla remained in control after the break, and Nasser al Saqri made it 3-0 in the 61st minute after meeting a cross inside the penalty area. Three minutes later, al Aghbari struck again to complete his brace and put the result beyond doubt.
Jackson Bisan rounded off the scoring in the 85th minute, heading home another delivery from al Hinai to complete a commanding five-goal victory.
IMPRESSIVE WIN FOR DHOFAR
At Al Saada Sports Complex, Dhofar opened their campaign with a 3-1 win over Al Nasr. The Salalah giants took the lead in the 43rd minute when Al Nasr defender Saif al Dhabari diverted Omar Adel’s cross into his own net.
Substitute John Paul Rashford extended Dhofar’s advantage in the 69th minute before Tiemori Keita converted a penalty for Al Nasr in the 86th minute. Rashford struck again in the 90th minute to secure all three points for Dhofar.
Meanwhile, Oman Club and Fanja settled for a 1-1 draw at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. Ondongo Varane headed Oman Club in front in the 45th minute, but second-half substitute Khalid al Buraiki brought Fanja level in the 69th minute after capitalising on a loose ball inside the penalty area.
Bahla lead Group 1 on goal difference ahead of Dhofar, while Oman Club and Fanja have one point each.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
