The HM Cup champions Al Nasr will clash with leaders Al Suwaiq at the Salalah Youth Complex in a crunch encounter of the Omantel League’s 18th week today. In Muscat, the former champions Fanja will face off against Dhofar at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. Oman Club will take on Al Salam at the same venue. Muscat will go up against Al Mudhaibi at the Seeb Stadium while Al Shabab will play against Al Nahdha at the same stadium.
Saham, meanwhile, will take on Mirbat at Sohar Sports Complex while Sohar will lock horns with Al Oruba.
Al Suwaiq will be looking to dominate their position in the standings when they take on Al Nasr in Salalah. The leaders, who are on 44 points, will try to widen the gap between them and the second placed Al Shabab to 12 points. With every passing game, Al Suwaiq are closing in on the Omantel League title and are on track for the triumph at this stage.
Despite their reverses in the AFC Cup, where they lost 2-0 to Iraq’s Air Force Club, coach Hakeem Shaker and his boys would be confident of putting it across Al Nasr, who are in the third place with 28 points.
Al Nasr, who are dusting off the hangover from their HM Cup triumph, would be looking to bring their top game to the fore and show some technical prowess. The one major factor that will be of advantage to Al Nasr would be the support of their home fans at the Salalah Youth Complex. At this stage of the league, about five clubs are in the relegation zone.
Al Mudhaibi (19), Saham (18), Oman Club (17), Dhofar (16) and Sohar (16) are the bottom five clubs who are threatened by demotion to the First Division. Fanja, Muscat and Al Salam will also have to up the ante to get themselves away from the danger zone.
Sohar’s task will be very tough as they face Al Oruba at their home ground. Sohar players realize the importance of gaining three points in the coming rounds if they want to remain in the premier league of Oman football.
The former champion, Dhofar will face Fanja in another important fixture. Dhofar are keen to get three points in order to jump to a better position. Fanja coach Mohsin Darweesh, is eager to continue the team’s winning streak after their triumphant win against Al Oruba in the last round.
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