Muscat: Five matches out of seven ended in a draw in the eighth round of 2022-23 Omantel League. Al Nahda and Al Rustaq are leading Omantel League table order after completion of eight weeks on Saturday. The Al Buraimi representative club posted a 1-0 win over Al Ittihad in an away game at the Al Saada Stadium to remain at the top with 18 points.
Al Ittihad suffered their third consecutive loss and are in 13th place with five points.
The Southern Al Batinah clash between Al Rustaq and Al Musannah ended in a goalless draw. With one point, Al Rustaq missed the chance to go top alone.
The top fixture of the week ended in a goalless draw as well between the AFC champions and Al Suwaiq at the Seeb Stadium. The defending champions are behind the toppers by nine points as they are placed in seventh place with nine points while Al Suwaiq are in fifth position with 14 points.
SOHAR EDGE DHOFAR
On Thursday, Sohar managed to defeat 11-time winners Dhofar 1-0 at Al Saada Stadium. The loss dropped the Salalah giants to fourth place with four points while the northern Al Batinah team raised their credit to 16 points in third place with a two-point gap to the league leaders.
Post the defeat, Dhofar’s board of directors announced the termination of the contract of Jordanian coach Ammar al Ruzaiqi and appointment of the national experienced coach Mussbah Hashil to lead the team in the remaining rounds of the top-tier league.
Earlier on Thursday, this week’s derby between Sur and Al Oruba ended in a goalless draw at Sur Sports Complex. The draw did not help both sides as they are positioned in the danger zone with seven and five points respectively.
Al Nasr played out a goalless draw against Al Bashayer at Al Saada Stadium. Oman Club and Bahla shared the draw points as they ended the fixture at 1-1 draw at the Seeb Stadium. Both teams have nine points. Before the break for the tenth round, the top domestic league clubs will be back to action on Tuesday in the ninth week matches.
Al Rustaq will host Al Nahda in a tight clash which will determine the league toppers. Dhofar will travel to Al Rustaq Sports Complex to meet Al Suwaiq in another strong encounter.
Sur will meet Al Nasr while Al Musannah will take on Oman Club. Sohar will face off Bahla while Al Bashayer will play against Al Ittihad and Seeb will take on Al Oruba at Sur Sports Complex.
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