Dhofar blank Al Nahdha to grab 11th HM Cup
Published: 06:05 PM,May 10,2024 | EDITED : 10:05 PM,May 10,2024
Khasab: Salalah powerhouses Dhofar defeated Al Nahdha 2-0 to grab their 11th His Majesty’s Cup football title after a thrilling summit clash at the Khasab Sports Complex late on Friday. Both goals of Dhofar came from penalty through Ali Salim in the first half and then by Hussain Said in the second half.
The triumph meant Dhofar snatched their 11th title in history after triumphs in 1977, 1980, 1981, 1990, 1999, 2005, 2007, 2012, 2020 and 2024 editions. The Salalah giants managed to end their 2023-2024 season on victorious note despite their 10th position in the domestic league.
Sayyid Ibrahim bin Said al Busaidy, Governor of Musandam, was the chief guest and gave away the trophy to the Dhofar captain and gold medals to the HM Cup champion players in presence of top dignitaries and officials. The concluding match of the HM Cup featured many laser shows during the beginning and conclusion of the match.
In the final, both teams began their action with focus on attacks and Dhofar registered the first attempt through Qasim Said but his shot was saved by Al Nahdha goalkeeper Ibrahim al Mukhaini in the eighth minute. The response from Al Nahdha was very quick as Inters Oxceyn received a ball inside the penalty box but his shot went over the bar in the ninth minute.
Later, the ball remained in the middle area of the green field as both teams tightened their defence. Al Nahdha’s Walter Bolya was the active player as he tried to take the advantage from the opponents' defending mistakes. He received a cross ball and continued by header but it was saved by Dhofar goalkeeper Mazin al Kasbi.
Dhofar youngster Hussain Said made several moves in the rival area as he sent a strong shot towards the goal of Al Buraimi-based team but missed the target. Coach Hamed al Azani’s men were depending more in the right side to create their scoring chances while Dhofar’s most moves started from the middle line and right side.
VAR JOINS ACTION
In the dying minutes of the first half, main referee Mahmood al Majrafi decided to check the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) which was implemented for the first time in the domestic competitions after Al Nahdha keeper Ibrahim al Mukhaini's interface with Dhofar’s attackers. The decision taken by the referee was a penalty for Dhofar which was converted successfully to goal by Ali Salim. Al Nahdha’s Ahmed al Matroshi was close to equalise but his header was saved by goalie Mazin al Kasbi. The first half ended with Dhofar leading 1-0.
Al Nahdha began the second half with better focus and more intent to score the equaliser while Dhofar’s battalion tightened their defence. Referee Mahmood al Majrafi gave another penalty for Dhofar and Hussain Said converted the spot kick to make it 2-0 and enhance Salalah giants’ lead in the 64th minute.
The second goal encouraged the winning team to press hard towards Al Nahdha’s side to score more goals and confirm the triumph. Al Nahdha coach Al Azani did many substitutions without any impact in the result.
The last minutes of the match did not change the result and Dhofar players managed to keep their net without any goals. Later, the referee announced the end of the encounter with a 2-0 win for Dhofar against Al Nahdha.
The triumph meant Dhofar snatched their 11th title in history after triumphs in 1977, 1980, 1981, 1990, 1999, 2005, 2007, 2012, 2020 and 2024 editions. The Salalah giants managed to end their 2023-2024 season on victorious note despite their 10th position in the domestic league.
Sayyid Ibrahim bin Said al Busaidy, Governor of Musandam, was the chief guest and gave away the trophy to the Dhofar captain and gold medals to the HM Cup champion players in presence of top dignitaries and officials. The concluding match of the HM Cup featured many laser shows during the beginning and conclusion of the match.
In the final, both teams began their action with focus on attacks and Dhofar registered the first attempt through Qasim Said but his shot was saved by Al Nahdha goalkeeper Ibrahim al Mukhaini in the eighth minute. The response from Al Nahdha was very quick as Inters Oxceyn received a ball inside the penalty box but his shot went over the bar in the ninth minute.
Later, the ball remained in the middle area of the green field as both teams tightened their defence. Al Nahdha’s Walter Bolya was the active player as he tried to take the advantage from the opponents' defending mistakes. He received a cross ball and continued by header but it was saved by Dhofar goalkeeper Mazin al Kasbi.
Dhofar youngster Hussain Said made several moves in the rival area as he sent a strong shot towards the goal of Al Buraimi-based team but missed the target. Coach Hamed al Azani’s men were depending more in the right side to create their scoring chances while Dhofar’s most moves started from the middle line and right side.
VAR JOINS ACTION
In the dying minutes of the first half, main referee Mahmood al Majrafi decided to check the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) which was implemented for the first time in the domestic competitions after Al Nahdha keeper Ibrahim al Mukhaini's interface with Dhofar’s attackers. The decision taken by the referee was a penalty for Dhofar which was converted successfully to goal by Ali Salim. Al Nahdha’s Ahmed al Matroshi was close to equalise but his header was saved by goalie Mazin al Kasbi. The first half ended with Dhofar leading 1-0.
Al Nahdha began the second half with better focus and more intent to score the equaliser while Dhofar’s battalion tightened their defence. Referee Mahmood al Majrafi gave another penalty for Dhofar and Hussain Said converted the spot kick to make it 2-0 and enhance Salalah giants’ lead in the 64th minute.
The second goal encouraged the winning team to press hard towards Al Nahdha’s side to score more goals and confirm the triumph. Al Nahdha coach Al Azani did many substitutions without any impact in the result.
The last minutes of the match did not change the result and Dhofar players managed to keep their net without any goals. Later, the referee announced the end of the encounter with a 2-0 win for Dhofar against Al Nahdha.