MUSCAT: In a thrilling match at the Sports Complex Stadium in Sur, Dhofar showcased their prowess by triumphing over Al Wehda with a resounding 3-0 victory in the opening round of the Omantel League.
Dhofar Club finished the first half by advancing with two clean goals, Abdullah al Mushrafi found the net in the 24th minute, while Awad al Shehri doubled the lead in the 39th minute.
Moataz Saleh sealed the deal with a third goal in the second half, earning Dhofar their first three points in the league. The intensity of the match was emphasised by two expulsions from Al Wehda, including their captain Faisal Sani and player Ahmed al Araimi.
STUNNING COMEBACK
The Sohar Club displayed exceptional resilience as they rallied back to clinch a remarkable 4-1 victory against Oman Club at the Sohar Complex Stadium.
Oman Club struck first with an early goal by Abdulwahed al Hinai in the fourth minute. However, Sohar swiftly responded, with their professional player Frank equalising in the 31st minute, followed by Abdullah al Shibli securing the lead just before half-time in the 44th minute.
Sohar’s momentum persisted in the second half, with Frank William netting his second goal in the 76th minute and Ali al Hashemi sealing the game with the fourth goal in the 91st minute.
BAHLA EDGE AL NASR
At the Al Saada Sports Complex, Bahla managed to secure a 1-0 win over Al Nasr in the first round.
The first half concluded in a stalemate, despite Al Nasr’s relative advantage. Both teams struggled to create significant chances, resulting in a goalless first half.
The second half witnessed increased aggression from both sides, with Bahla eventually breaking the deadlock through a goal by Yemeni professional Anis al Maari. Despite a flurry of attacks from both teams in the latter part of the match, Bahla held onto their lead to claim the victory.
The Ibri versus Al Seeb match was postponed due to Al Seeb’s participation in the AFC Champions League play-off. A later date will be announced for the rescheduled match.
Early League Standings
As the dust settles on the opening round of the Omantel League, Sohar lead the pack on goal difference following their remarkable victory over Oman Club. Dhofar closely trail with a convincing 3-0 win against Al Wehda. Bahla’s triumph over Al Nasr secured their spot in the early league standings, providing relief to their fans after concerns about the team’s preparation. Al Nahda, Al Shabab, Al Rustaq and Sur shared the points in drawn matches, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
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