MUSCAT, NOV 28
Ibri achieved an important 1-0 victory over Al Khabourah at the Ibri Sports Complex as part of the 11th round of the Omantel League on Wednesday.
Ibri started the game with clear offensive pressure, seeking an early goal. The team came close to scoring in the seventh minute when Ashhad Abdulsalam unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, but Al Khabourah's goalkeeper made an excellent save. In the 11th minute, Ibri managed to score the game's only goal through Jacques Bessan, who expertly converted a cross from teammate Branly Augustin inside the penalty box, slotting it skilfully to the left of the goalkeeper.
Al Khabourah quickly attempted to equalise, with a golden opportunity in the 18th minute when Zakaria al Qurtubi broke through on goal but was denied by a heroic save from Ibri's goalkeeper, Muti al Saadi. Both teams continued to create chances in the first half, but hasty finishing prevented further goals, leaving Ibri ahead 1-0 at half-time.
The second half saw Al Khabourah intensify their attacking efforts in search of an equaliser. Their first significant opportunity came in the 50th minute from a brilliantly executed free kick by Hisham al Balti that narrowly missed the crossbar. Despite sustained pressure, Ibri defended resiliently and relied on counterattacks that occasionally threatened. In the 83rd minute, Al Khabourah came agonisingly close to equalising after a scramble in the penalty area, but the ball struck the right post, securing Ibri's win.
With this victory, Ibri climbed to sixth place in the standings with 13 points, while Al Khabourah remained in seventh place with 10 points.
AL SHABAB EDGE BAHLA
Al Shabab secured a vital 1-0 victory against Bahla at the Rustaq Sports Complex.
The game began cautiously from both sides. The first major chance came in the 11th minute when Al Shabab's Hatem al Rushdi struck a powerful free kick that rattled the crossbar. Bahla responded with long crosses but lacked effectiveness. Al Shabab's Mohammed al Ghafri missed a golden opportunity in the 19th minute, sending his shot just wide of the right post.
Chances continued for both teams, and in the 45th minute, Al Shabab broke the deadlock through a header by Khalid al Buraiki, who capitalised on a perfectly delivered corner kick to expertly find the back of the net, ending the first half 1-0 in favour of Al Shabab.
Bahla entered the second half with determination to find an equaliser, while Al Shabab aimed to double their lead. Al Shabab's Issam al Subhi nearly added a second goal in the 50th minute but missed a header that was easily cleared by Bahla's defence. Al Shabab relied on swift counterattacks, while Bahla focused on exploiting crosses. Despite several late chances, Bahla's lack of precision in the final touch ensured the match ended with Al Shabab maintaining their narrow lead.
This win elevated Al Shabab to eighth place with 10 points, while Bahla's tally remained at 9 points, dropping them to ninth place in the standings.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
