MUSCAT - With four matches remaining, leaders Al Suwaiq extended their lead on top by six points after a resounding win against Al Salam in the ninth round matches of the Omantel League at the weekend. A 3-0 win against Al Salam pushed ahead Al Suwaiq for the title contention as nearest rivals Al Shabab suffered a shock loss 2-1 against Al Oruba. The defeat dealt serious blow to Al Shabab’s title hopes as they fell behind by six points in the second spot with 18 points. Al Nasr kept their challenge in tact with a 1-0 win against newcomers Mirbat to earn 18 points and trail Al Shabab on goal difference.
Defending champions Dhofar saw their chances to move up diminish with another defeat, this time against Saham at Al Saada Sports Complex.
Bottom-placed Fanja kept their survival hopes in tact with a fighting 2-1 win against Al Mudhaibi.
In other fixtures, Sohar and Oman Club settled for a goalless draw at Sohar Sport Complex and Al Nahda blanked Muscat 2-0 at the ROP Stadium Wattayah.
At Sohar Sports Complex, title favourites Al Suwaiq woke up after a barren first half to pump in three goals past relegation-threatened Al Salam. Mohammed al Musallami struck the first goal in the 60th minute. Mohsin al Ghassani made it 2-0 three minutes later and star striker Abdulaziz al Muqbali completed the scoring with another goal in the 76th minute.
Al Salam fell to 13th spot with the defeat on 8 points.
At Sur Sports Complex, Al Shabab suffered a heartbreak when they saw their 1-0 lead earned by Fenisio turn into a 2-1 loss in the last six minutes.
Khalid al Yakubi was sent off in the 30th minute as Shabab was reduced to 10 men.
Abu Abid hit the equaliser in the 84th minute and Yousuf al Muqiani netted the winner in the 90th minute for Al Oruba. With the win, Al Oruba moved up to fourth with 14 points.
Omantel League ninth round results
At Sohar Sports Complex
Sohar 0 Oman 0
At Al Saada Sports Complex
Dhofar 1 (Tamer Haj Mohamad 47) Saham 2 (Lassena Diaby 58, 84)
At ROP Stadium Wattayah
Muscat 0 Al Nahda 2 (Admeer 9, Yousef Naser al Salman 88)
At Seeb Sports Stadium
Fanja 2 (Abdulrahman Samir al Ghassani 60, Daniel 83) Al Mudhaibi 1 (13)
At Sur Sports Complex
Al Oruba 2 (Abu Abid 84, Yousuf al Muqaini 90) Al Shabab 1 (Fenisio 75)
At Sohar Sports Complex
Al Salam 0 Al Suwaiq 3 (Mohammed al Musallami 60, Mohsin al Ghassani 63, Abdulaziz al Muqbali 76)
At Al Saada Sports Complex
Mirbat 0 Al Nasr 1 (87)
Anuroop Athiparambath
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