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Leaders Al Shabab take on Al Nasr as OPL resumes

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Al Nasr, on the other hand, competed in both cups, recently storming into the Mazda Professional Cup final to defend their title. They will be looking to keep that form and climb up the table – currently in fifth place as they sit 5 points behind Al Shabab  


MUSCAT: Leaders Al Shabab, who have had a meteoric rise from the past season, play Al Nasr as they look to continue their stellar first half form in the second half of the Omantel Professional League season.


Al Shabab has surprised everyone this season, after a forgettable last season to be being title contenders and league leaders at the end. They also aren’t in any of the other competitions, allowing them to focus on the title push.


Al Nasr, on the other hand, competed in both cups, recently storming into the Mazda Professional Cup final to defend their title. They will be looking to keep that form and climb up the table — currently in fifth place as they sit 5 points behind Al Shabab.


The difference in position and points between the two teams is indicative of how competitive the OPL is — making it interesting to see how this game and the rest of the season shapes out.


Muscat, Dhofar eye win


Dhofar, led the OPL for most of last season, but finished behind Al Shabab by a point at the halfway point.


Muscat Club, hoping to keep the resurgent form they displayed at the beginning of 2016, failed to do so and capitulated to 13th place in the first half of the season.


Dhofar will want to begin the season on a note of consistency and make a statement of intent with a strong win. They have the opportunity to do that as they play relegation threatened Muscat Club.


Muscat Club, fans from last season remember, are no easy pushovers though.


In the same position last season, they came out guns blazing in the second half of the season, showing exceptional form and consistency to go from last place to a mid-table finish in just half a season. That run earned many of their players national team slots and it would be foolish to bet against them doing the same again.


They will want to show the league what they are capable of when they take the pitch against title contenders Dhofar — making it a very competitive match up.


Sohar, Saham keep hopes


Sohar and Saham will probably see their positions at the end of the first half as ones of promise. It would have also been one that would have left the feeling that they could have done better. In fourth and sixth place respectively, with a difference of 4 points between the two sides — it will be a great game to start the second half of the league season making a statement.


It’s a derby, with both teams getting fans in numbers. The intensity will be high and the emotions run strong, a victory will surely give either team strong momentum to start the second half of the season.


Al Nahda, Khabourah seek to revive fortunes


Al Nahda and Al Khabourah kickoff at the Buraimi sports complex with the hope of a fresh start come the second half of the league.


Al Nahda, who won the league but a few years ago, currently sit right in the middle of the table at seventh place, while Khabourah are at 10th place.


Al Nahda will look to change their fortunes this year, with a semifinal victory in the Mazda Professional Cup means they are already challenging Al Nasr for their title of champions in one competition.


They will look to use that positive momentum and transfer it to the league. Al Khabourah have been looking for the right kind of kick since their HM Cup final defeat last season.


It seemed they had their mojo back in the His Majesty’s Cup, but a 3-1 loss to Dhofar has their position precarious —meaning they really need to salvage all they can from the season. It will be interesting to see how the pendulum of momentum swings for either side.


OPL Week 14 SCHEDULE


February 3


Muscat vs Dhofar (Sur Sports Complex) 17:15


♦ Al Shabab vs Al Nasr (Sohar Sports Complex) 17:15


february 4


♦ Al Nahda vs


Al Khabourah (Al Buraimi complex) 17:15


♦ Al Oruba vs


Al Rustaq (Sur Sports Complex) 19:30


february 5


♦ Fanja vs Jalan (Nizwa Complex Stadium) 18:30


february 9


♦ Oman vs Al Suwaiq (Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex) 18:30


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