Four scorers fire Al Shabab past Shaab Hadramout

MUSCAT, NOV 4

Al Shabab struck twice in the opening four minutes of the second half to seal a commanding 4-0 victory over Yemen’s Shaab Hadramout at Seeb Sports Stadium on Tuesday, strengthening their challenge in Group A of the Gulf Club Champions League.

Marko Muslin and Juma al Habsi put the Omani representatives in control before the interval, with Hussein al Shahri and Musab al Maamari adding two quick goals after the restart to secure a second successive win.

The result took Al Shabab to six points from three matches, building on their 3-1 comeback victory over Saudi Arabia’s NEOM after an opening 3-0 defeat by Qatar’s Al Duhail.

Al Shabab finished the third round in second place, level on points with leaders NEOM and third-placed Al Duhail. NEOM’s 3-0 victory over the Qatari side later on Tuesday left goal difference separating the three teams at the halfway stage of the group campaign.

Backed by their supporters, Al Shabab established an early foothold through midfield work, while Shaab Hadramout sought to contain the hosts and find openings on the break.

The visitors initially held firm, with goalkeeper Mohammed Aman and his defence dealing with Al Shabab’s early attacks. However, the breakthrough arrived in the 27th minute when Muslin drove a powerful shot from outside the penalty area into the net.

Al Shabab's Musab al Maamari celebrates after scoring their fourth goal against Yemen’s Shaab Hadramout at Seeb Sports Stadium on Tuesday.

Shaab Hadramout attempted to respond, but struggled to turn their forward moves into clear chances against an organised home defence.

Al Shabab doubled their advantage in the 39th minute. Muslin supplied the delivery from the left and defender Al Habsi rose to head home, giving the hosts a 2-0 lead at half-time.

STRONG SECOND-HALF

Any prospect of a recovery by the Yemeni side faded almost immediately after the restart. Al Shahri broke forward in the 46th minute, evaded the defence and rounded the goalkeeper before finishing for Al Shabab’s third.

Three minutes later, Al Maamari added the fourth to put the result firmly beyond the visitors’ reach.

With a comfortable lead established, Al Shabab made several substitutions and managed the remaining stages while maintaining their defensive discipline. Shaab Hadramout also turned to their bench in search of a response, but could not find a consolation goal.

The defeat left the Yemeni side bottom of the group without a point after three matches, while Al Shabab head into the return fixtures with renewed momentum and their qualification challenge firmly on track.