Muscat, Sept 29
Salalah Club scored a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Al Nasr Club in the 2024 Oman Hockey League held at the Sultan Qaboos Cultural and Entertainment Complex in Salalah.
The first quarter saw a clear balance between the two teams, as they exchanged attacks without posing any real threat on goal, ending the period in a scoreless draw.
In the second quarter, both teams continued their cautious defensive play, with attempts from Al Nasr and Salalah to break through the opposing defences, but to no avail, as the score remained 0-0 by half-time.
At the start of the third quarter, the situation changed, and Salalah players managed to score the only goal of the match in the 40th minute through player Shafi al Shatri, following a quick and well-organised counterattack, giving his team a 1-0 lead.
In the final quarter, Al Nasr intensified their efforts to find an equaliser, but Salalah’s defence remained solid and was able to repel the attacks, ending the game with Salalah securing a 1-0 victory and earning three valuable points in their league campaign.
Salalah thrash Dhofar 4-1 in Group B
In another Group B match, Salalah achieved a resounding 4-1 victory over Dhofar.
The match began with a clear dominance from Salalah, with player Ayman Faraj scoring the opening goal in the 5th minute following a fast counterattack, sealing the first quarter with a 1-0 lead. The performance between the teams balanced out afterward, but Dhofar was unable to equalise in this half.
In the second quarter, Dhofar returned strongly to the match, managing to score the equaliser in the 25th minute through player Ahmed Said, who struck a powerful shot after an accurate pass. The match remained tied 1-1 until the end of this quarter.
The third quarter witnessed attempts from both teams to break the deadlock, as they exchanged attacks with notable performances from the goalkeepers, but neither team managed to score, ending the quarter in a draw.
In the final quarter, Salalah took full control of the game, with Samir Jamaan scoring the second goal in the 49th minute after a brilliant solo effort. Salalah didn’t stop there, as Talal Beit Hazem added a third goal in the 52nd minute, capitalising on Dhofar’s defensive lapses. Ayman Faraj sealed the win with a fourth goal in the 55th minute after a swift counterattack.
With this big win, Salalah topped Group B and advanced to the final stages, while Al Nasr qualified as the second team from the group. In Group A, Ahli Sidab advanced as the group leader, followed by Seeb Club in second place.
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