Seeb clinch HM Cup for hockey

By Anuroop A — MUSCAT: Dec. 19: Seeb clinched His Majesty’s Cup hockey championship after denying a fighting Bausher 3-2 in the final at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Monday. Seeb coach Osama Hussain was ecstatic after the triumph. “It is a great win. We deserve to be the champions. Our players put up an excellent show in the final,” the Egyptian coach said. Dr Rawya bint Saud al Busaidiyah, Minister of Higher Education, was the chief guest for the final. She gave away the trophies  in the presence of Asian Hockey Federation CEO Tayyib Ikram and Oman Hockey Association chairman Talib al Wahaibi. The board members of OHA, officials from Ministry of Sports and other  dignitaries were also present. It was Seeb who dominated the proceedings from the start and they struck early in the seventh minute through Omani player Mohammed Hassan al Lawati by a field goal. Bausher worked hard for an equaliser and succeeded in the 31st minute when another Omani player Mohannah Nasr al Hosni deflected a cross from Pakistani international Mohammad Tousiq to the net. Bausher earned two penalty corners in the first half but could not score from both of it. Seeb didn’t get any penalty corner in the first half. In the second half, Seeb changed gear and attacked with more vigour. Pakistani recruit Tasawar Abbas was the playmaker for Seeb as they pressed hard for another goal. Mohammed Lawati netted the goal Seeb wanted in the 48th minute after a good move was thwarted by the Bausher goalkeeper. After score at 2-1, Seeb dominated play with relentless attacks at Bausher goal. Their efforts culminated into another goal as Oman national player Qasim Moosa al Shibli found the target in the 51st minute. The young Bausher side was taken aback by the two goal in quick succession as Seeb controlled the game during the period. However, Bausher organised some attacks during the final stages of the game. Mohammad Tousiq pulled one back for Bausher in the 65th minute from a penalty corner to make it 3-2. During the last five minutes, Bausher failed to organise any constructive moves as Seeb successfully defended a one-goal lead to claim the final honours. On Sunday, Ahli Sidab beat Al Nasr 2-1 to take the third spot. Indian recruit Rupinder Pal Singh scored a brace for Ahli Sidab, while Muhammad Hubeis netted the goal for Al Nasr.