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Tche Tche nets brace as Suwaiq lift HM Cup title

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Jaber al Ajmi - Muscat, MAY 26 - Tche Tche netted a brace as Al Suwaiq defeated Dhofar 2-0 to lift His Majesty’s Cup for the third time, at the Sultan Qaboos Stadium on Thursday. The three-time OPL champions Al Suwaiq came back to major honours after four years when they beat Fanja in the Omani Super Cup.


The sixth-placed OPL side, who finished the OPL campaign 16 points behind champions Dhofar, now have three HM’s Cup (2008/2009), ( 2012/2013) and (2016/2017), while Dhofar remained with their eight trophies, just one trophy behind Fanja who have the record with nine titles.


After a goalless half-time which was affected by the high temperature humidity, Al Suwaiq’s manager Hakeem Shaker made two substitutes, introducing the left winger Fahad al Jalbubi and playmaker Omar al Fizari to give his side more energy and create more chances especially by counterattack. The changes worked immediately as the game turned to Hakeem’s side and Tche Tche could give the lead to Al Suwaiq after receiving a nice pass from Omar al Fizari. Tche Tech came back to exploit a wonderful pass from Al Fizari to fire the Al Suwaiq’s massive crowds in the 77th minutes. Tche Tche continued his outstanding performance in the game by scoring his second goal in the 86th minutes, spoiling OPL champions Dhofar’s hopes to win the domestic double this season.


Post-match reaction


Hakeem Shaker, Al Suwaiq manager:


“we managed to play a perfect game with special tactics to pass OPL Champions Dhofar who have lots of good players, and we finally did give our loyal crowds the most precious trophy.’’


“We agreed to keep Fahad al Jalbubi and Omar al Fizari on the bench as we knew that we will need speed players in the second half and our vision became true as they came off the bench and made the difference.


“It is my pleasure to continue with Al Suwaiq but it’s too early to speak about that, we should enjoy our achievement right now.’’


Molay Al Hassan Murad, Dhofar manager:


“We hoped to win domestic double this season and we did everything in the game but we were not lucky to score, not like Al Suwaiq who were so lucky to score two goals from two possible chances.’’


“the cup’s winners need luck but league’s winners need continuity in good performance and we proved in this game that we deserved to be OPL champions.


Tche Tche, Al Suwaiq striker who scored the two goals:


“I am very happy for helping my team to win the trophy, and I thank all my mates who helped me to score the two final goals.


“It was a quite tough season for Al Suwaiq, many injuries as well the changing of the coaches, but at the end we earned it.


‘’ I told my friends today is the final and we will not have many chances to score, and we need to be accurate in the playground and I was lucky to transfer those possibilities become into goals’’


Fahad al Jalbubi, Al Suwaiq left winger:


“the coach told me and my mate Omar to stay on the bench so that we exploit our dribbling skills and speed up the counterattack as he would keep defending in the first half, and we were lucky to apply all such a strategy.’’


Al Abd al Nofly, Al Suwaiq right winger and captain:


“Our manager Hakeem Shaker inspired us with his plans and instructions and he built the trust in ourselves that we can pass Dhofar. We are very happy to finish the unforgettable start of the season with a trophy Its such a miracle’’


Mohammed al Musalmi, Al Suwaiq defender:


‘’We dedicate this achievement to all our loyal supporters who are crazy about Al Suwaiq and came to support us from the start of the season until the final.’’


Mohammed al Bulushi (Al Shaiba), Al Suwaiq defender:


“Congrats to all my mates who worked hard this season and we deserved the trophy.”


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