Al Salam, Seeb reach the 1st Division OVL final
Al Salam and Seeb have qualified for the final match of the 2024/2025 First Division Oman Volleyball League (OVL), which will be held on Monday, May 5, at the Sohar Sports Complex.
Al Salam secured their place in the final after defeating Majees by three sets to one in the match played at the Sohar Sports Complex.
The match witnessed standout performances from Mohammed al Maamari, Khalid al Muqbali, Adam al Jaradi, Graciano and Majid al Shibli for Al Salam, while Majees' notable players included Pakistani player Imal, Hilal al Muqbali and Christian.
Majees started strongly, relying on powerful serves and solid defensive organisation, which allowed them to take an early lead and maintain it, winning the first set 25-20 despite late attempts by Al Salam to close the gap.
In the second set, Al Salam entered more focused and imposed their rhythm thanks to Graciano's attacking moves and Majid al Shibli's powerful serves. The set was closely contested until midway, after which Al Salam pulled ahead to win 25-22 by capitalising on critical points.
During the third set, Al Salam continued to exploit Majees' disorganisation, asserting dominance through a solid block and quick counter-attacks, winning the set 25-21 despite Majees' efforts to recover.
Al Salam maintained full control from the start of the fourth set, taking advantage of Majees' serving and receiving errors, to comfortably win the set 25-18 and the match by three sets to one.
SEEB EDGE AL BASHAYER
On the other side, Seeb booked their spot in the final after an exciting win over Al Bashayer by three sets to two, in a fiercely contested match held at the Nizwa Sports Complex.
Key performers for Al Bashayer included the professional player Islam, along with Mazin al Hashmi and Haitham al Shaqsi, while Seeb's stars were the Russian professional Bogdan, along with Saud al Maamari and Artem.
The first set saw a balanced start between the two sides with point exchanges, but Al Bashayer managed to edge ahead, relying on strong serves and concentrated attacks by Islam and Saman, to win 25-23 despite late resistance from Seeb.
Seeb responded strongly in the second set, implementing a more vibrant playing style with diversified attacks and solid defensive coordination, dominating the set to win 25-19.
Their momentum continued into the third set, with technical superiority evident as Bogdan and Artem excelled in powerful spikes and solid blocks, enabling Seeb to win the set comfortably 25-17.
Al Bashayer showed great fighting spirit in the fourth set, capitalising on Seeb's service and reception errors and won 25-22 after a thrilling end to the set.
The two teams exchanged leads up to the midpoint of the decisive fifth set, but Seeb's players, drawing on their experience in critical moments, clinched the win 15-13, thus advancing to the final.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
21 hours ago
- Observer
Seeb, Al Khabourah share spoils in exciting 2-2 draw
Muscat: The match between Seeb and their guests Al Khabourah ended in a 2-2 draw on Tuesday at the Seeb Stadium, concluding the first round of the Oman Elite League. Seeb started strongly from the opening minutes, relying on the movements of their midfield trio Abdullah Fawaz, Arshad al Alawi and Zaher al Aghbari who delivered several precise passes that were not capitalised on. Left-back Ali al Busaidy's overlapping runs and crosses posed a constant threat, while Al Khabourah responded through their professional player Colin Anthony, whose powerful strike in the 18th minute was denied by goalkeeper Ahmed al Rawahi. Despite the exchange of attacks, the first half ended goalless. Al Khabourah came out with more determination in the second half, pressing forward with continuous attacks. However, Seeb struck first in the 52nd minute when Nasser al Rawahi finished off a neat pass from Zaher al Aghbari with a powerful shot to the right of goalkeeper Omar al Matrooshi. The goal boosted the home side's confidence as they pushed for more. Al Khabourah refused to back down and equalised in the 65th minute through Colin Anthony, who latched onto a through ball, went one-on-one with Ahmed al Rawahi and calmly slotted home. Just three minutes later, Seeb regained their lead when Nasser al Rawahi rose brilliantly to head in Ali al Busaidy's precise cross, completing his brace to the delight of the home fans. Seeb and Al Khabourah players in action. Despite trailing, Al Khabourah continued their relentless search for an equaliser. The movements of Nawaf al Hosani and Youssef al Saadi threatened Seeb's defence, but poor finishing denied them success. In the 79th minute, substitute Khalifa al Mazrouei stole the show, spotting the goalkeeper off his line and executing a brilliant lob from outside the box to make it 2-2. The final minutes were filled with drama, with both sides pushing for a winner. Seeb's substitutes unleashed several shots, while Al Khabourah's counterattacks nearly snatched all three points if not for Seeb's alert defending. The referee's final whistle confirmed a thrilling 2-2 draw, leaving the teams to share the spoils. AL NAHDA TOP TABLE With the first round of the 2025–2026 Oman Elite League completed, Al Nahda top the table on goal difference after their 3-0 win over Samayil, followed by Sohar in second after a 4-2 victory over Al Rustaq. Bahla sit third with a 2-0 win over Saham, while Al Nasr rank fourth after beating Sur (2-0). Al Shabab are fifth thanks to a 2-0 win against Ibri and Oman Club are sixth after a narrow 2-1 win over Dhofar. Seeb and Al Khabourah share seventh and eighth place with one point each from their draw. Meanwhile, Ibri, Dhofar, Al Rustaq, Saham, Sur and Samayil remain without points, occupying the lower positions after the first week of play.
Observer
6 days ago
- Observer
Masirah, Salalah win openers as U21 League begins
Muscat, Aug 15 The preliminary round of the 2025 Youth Hockey League U21 continues on Friday with two matches. Al Nasr will face Al Ittihad at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah, while Sohar will meet Ahli Sidab at the Sohar Sports Complex. The round will conclude on Sunday with two more games: Sohar will play against Seeb at Sohar Sports Complex and Al Ittihad will face Salalah at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah. In the opening fixtures of the first round, Masirah secured a 3–0 victory over Seeb, while Salalah impressed with a 2–0 win against Al Nasr. In Group B action, Masirah recorded a convincing 3–0 victory over Seeb at the Hockey Oman Stadium in Al Amerat. The game began at a balanced pace, with Masirah having a slight edge as Al Abbas al Nofli and Al Bara al Nofli attempted to establish early dominance. Seeb relied on counterattacks led by Al Waleed al Raisi and Abdulaziz al Hasani. In the 15th minute, Al Abbas al Nofli broke the deadlock with a powerful shot from inside the circle following a precise pass, ending the first quarter 1–0 in Masirah's favour. In the second quarter, Seeb pushed forward seeking an equaliser through the runs of Mohammed al Shibli, but Masirah's defence stood firm. Masirah nearly doubled their lead from a counterattack led by Al Bara al Nofli, but goalkeeper Issa al Raisi made a fine save, keeping the score 1–0 at half-time. The third quarter saw Seeb win several penalty corners, but Masirah goalkeeper Ali al Balushi denied them all. With Seeb pushing forward in the final quarter, Masirah exploited the spaces as Al Bara al Nofli scored the second goal in the 55th minute, followed by Nasser al Nofli adding a third three minutes later, sealing a 3–0 victory and three valuable points. SALALAH BLANK AL NASR In Group C, Salalah earned a 2–0 victory over Al Nasr. The first quarter was evenly matched with both teams creating chances but failing to score. At the start of the second quarter, Salalah came out strong, opening the scoring through Jumaa Matar al Hinai in the 16th minute, before Abdulaziz Ahmed al Rasbi doubled the lead in the 20th minute from a quick counterattack. Al Nasr tried to reduce the deficit through the efforts of Mohammed al Jabri and Deem al Alawi, but Salalah's defence remained solid. The third and fourth quarters passed without a change in the scoreline, giving Salalah a comfortable 2–0 win to kick off their tournament campaign. This year's league features eight clubs divided into three groups. Group A includes Ahli Sidab and Sohar; Group B includes Seeb, Sohar and Masirah; and Group C includes Al Ittihad, Salalah and Al Nasr. The preliminary round is played in a double round-robin format, with the top team from each group advancing to the final stage. Matches are held at hockey fields in sports complexes and the Hockey Oman Stadium in Al Amerat. The final stage follows a single round-robin format, after which the top two teams play a decisive match to determine the league champion. The organising committee has allocated trophies and prizes: the champions receive the league cup, 25 gold medals and a cash prize of RO 2,500; the runner-ups get 25 silver medals and RO 1,500; and the third-placed team receives 25 bronze medals and RO 1,000. Special awards are also presented for best player, best goalkeeper and top-scorer, each including a commemorative gift and a cash prize of 50 rials.
Observer
13-08-2025
- Observer
Refereeing errors dash Seeb hopes as FC Goa advance
MUSCAT, AUG 13 Seeb rued some refereeing decisions including a penalty rejection as hosts FC Goa won 2-1 in the AFC Champions League playoff in India's Goa on Wednesday. In the 43rd minute, the ball touched the hand of Dejan Drazic inside the box but the Chinese referee denied a penalty after consulting the line referee at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The triumph confirmed FC Goa's progression to the Group Stage of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/2026, while Seeb will continue their continental campaign in the AFC Challenge Cup. Goals from Dejan Drazic (24th minute) and Javier Siverio (52') put the hosts in control before Nasser al Rawahi pulled one back for Seeb on the hour mark. Despite a spirited second-half push, Seeb's hopes were dashed amid what the Omani side felt were a series of questionable officiating calls by the Chinese referee in charge. Seeb, the 2022 AFC Cup champions, began with intent. Within two minutes, Nasser al Rawahi forced FC Goa defender Pol Moreno into an acrobatic clearance, followed by Zahir al Aghbari's blocked attempt inside the box. The Omani side's pressure continued in the 23rd minute when Al Rawahi's timely tackle set up Abdulaziz al Muqbali, whose curling strike was parried away by goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari. Just a minute later, FC Goa broke the deadlock. Borja Herrera's instinctive long pass found Drazic, who eluded Al Rawahi's challenge before chipping the ball into the net. After the break, the hosts doubled their lead in the 52nd minute when Herrera's corner delivery found Siverio, who rose above the Seeb defence to head home. Seeb responded quickly, with Ali al Busaidy cutting the ball back for Nasser al Rawahi to finish from close range in the 60th minute. The goal injected life into the match, but despite late pressure, the visitors couldn't find an equaliser. While the loss means Seeb miss out a historic milestone to become the first Omani club to reach the AFC Champions League Two Group Stage, the club will now turn their focus to making a strong impact in the AFC Challenge League, where they aim to replicate the continental success of their 2022 AFC Cup triumph.
