Do-or-die battle for Saham, Fanja

HM CUP LAST 16: Al Hamra host Dhofar and Bausher take on Muscat in the derby of the capital city

Jaber al Ajmi -

MUSCAT -

Dec 9: Defending champions Saham will clash with OPL champions Fanja in the main knockout fixtures of the His Majesty’s Cup Round of 16. In the other one off fixtures that are will be played on Friday, Al Rustaq face Oman club, Al Hamra host Dhofar and Bausher take on Muscat in the derby of the capital city.

On Saturday, Jalan will host Sohar, Al Shabab meet Al Salam and Al Suwaiq welcome Al Mudhaibi, while Al Khaboura travel to Nizwa.

The Sohar Sports Stadium will witness the thrilling encounter of Saham and Fanja at 19:30. Saham defeated Fanja twice this season: 1-0 in the season 2016-17 curtain raiser, and 3-2 in Omantel Professional League. The draw also gave Saham advantage to play at home but the wobbling situation of both teams in the OPL make the chances of qualifying equal between them.

Last week, nine-time winners Fanja — the most successful team in the tournament — showed a good improvement thanks to their new manager, former Oman national team goalkeeper Suliman al Mazrouei who replaced the sacked Portuguese manager Manuel Ramos.

Both teams qualified to this round very easily as Saham thrashed Bidiyah 4-1, and Fanja hammered Al Ittihad 5-1.

OPL newcomers Al Rustaq are set to take on Oman club at Seeb Stadium (16:45). In last 32 round, Al Rustaq was beaten by Al Nahda 2-1 but the Oman Football Association Disciplinary Committee excluded Al Nahda as they engaged suspended player Amor al Shatri, who got red card in his last HM Cup game when he was a Dhofar player.

In an expected thriller, Bausher will clash with Muscat. First-division side Bausher made the shock last round as they ousted the high-flying OPL side Al Oruba. Bausher are leading their group in the First Division League with 11 points from seven games.

Muscat came to last 16 after defeating Bahla 3-1. They have appointed Mohsen al Bulushi as manager, while former national team player Sultan al Tuqi will be his assistant.

In Friday’s last action, second-division team Al Hamra will face Salalah giants Dhofar at Nizwa Stadium (18:00). Dhofar, who slumped to a heavy 3-0 loss to Al Shabab last week to lose the OPL lead, have sacked their Egyptian manager Hamza al Jamal.

It looks an unequal match, but Al Hamra who lost their hopes to qualify to the First Division, will seek a historical qualifying against Dhofar, who struggled past Al Seeb on penalties in the last round.

On Saturday, OPL bottom-dwellers Jalan will host Sohar at Sur Stadium at 16:45. Jalan who finally grabbed their first OPL victory last week against Al Rustaq, defeated Al Wasta club 3-1 in Round of 32, while Sohar beat Mirbat 2-0.

The OPL leaders Al Shabab will take on Al Salam at Seeb Stadium (19:30). Al Shabab played a strong game last round as they defeated Al Nasr in shoot-out as the full time result ended in goals’ draw while the first-division side Al Salam also got to this stage on shoot-out against Sur.

In the other matches, Nizwa vs Al Khaboura at Nizwa Stadium (18:00) and Al Suwaiq play with Al Mudhaibi at Sohar Stadium (18:00).