Al Shabab cut gap with Al Suwaiq

MUSCAT, NOV 5 - A nine-man Al Shabab cut the gap with the Omantel League leaders by 4 points with a win against Suhar as Al Suwaiq fell to a goalless draw against Al Oruba in the 11th round matches this weekend. With only two matches remaining, Al Suwaiq (28) saw their six-point lead on top reduced to four points after the draw. Al Shahab remained in hunt with a hard-fought 3-2 win against Suhar. At the Suhar Sports Complex, Fenisio put Al Shabab in lead in the third minute itself. In the 20th minute, Al Shabab lost Zakir with a red card but they increased the lead with Jameel al Yahmadi goal in the 26th minute. In the 37th minute, Al Shabab suffered another blow with Fernando receiving their second red card of the match. Al Shabab withdrew to defence after the double blow. In the second half, Al Shabab earned a penalty five minutes after the start. Fenisio didn’t make any mistake as nine-man Al Shabab raced to a 3-0 lead. The third goal saw Suhar awake to make some serious efforts to score goals. Their relentless efforts coupled with shortage of two players resulted in their first goal in 58th minute through Syrian. Further attacks could only add one more goal for Suhar as Rasheed netted in 73rd minute. In the final stages, Al Shabab withstood Suhar attacks for an equaliser and earned vital three points. At Sur Sports Complex, in a spirited display, Al Oruba held leaders Suwaiq to a goalless draw. Al Oruba are fourth with 18 points. Third-placed Al Nasr fell to a resurgent Fanja 1-0 as Daniel netted the lone goal at the Seeb Sports Stadium. With the vital win, former champions Fanja climbed one place up the relegation zone with 13 points. Al Mudhaibi (12), Oman club (11), Mirbat (10) and Al Salam (9) are the bottom four who face relegation. At Al Saada Sports Complex, Al Nahda thrashed Mirbat 3-0. Elsewhere, Al Mudhaibi earned a 3-1 win against highly-rated Saham and Muscat blanked bottom-placed Al Salam 3-0. Defending champions Dhofar’s dismal show continued as Oman club held them to a goalless draw. Dhofar are eighth with 13 points. ANUROOP ATHIPARAMBATH