
Al Arabi edge Seeb in first leg of quarters
Muscat: Kuwait's Al Arabi SC Bandar al Salamah netted the winner for his team in the dying minutes against Seeb club in the first leg tie of quarterfinals at 2024-25 AFC Challenge League on Wednesday night at Jaber Al Mubarak Al Sabah Stadium. With the triumph, the Kuwaiti side put one foot in semifinals and have better advantage in the return match next Wednesday at the Seeb Stadium.
The winners of this match will face the winners between East Bengal of India against FC Arkadag in the semifinal.
Hosts Al Arabi SC snatched a crucial victory while Seeb still have 90 minutes to revive their hopes and secure slot in the semifinals of the Asian event. The first half ended in a goalless draw as both teams missed several scoring opportunities.
The home side were the first to begin the attacking through Ali Khalaf's spectacular long-range effort in the 19th minute narrowly missing the target. Seeb's Ali al Busaidy responded with the first attempt but his shot was saved by Sulaiman Abdulghafoor. The host players worked hard to score the opening goal prior to the end of the first half through movement of Powei Christopher and Anayo Iwuala while Zaher al Aghbari tried from Seeb side but the score remained a goalless draw.
Seeb and Al Arabi players fight for the ball.
In the second half, both teams employed a defensive approach. Al Arabi head coach Nasser al Shatti and Seeb head coach Nikola Djurovic did some substitutions to energise the match by entering fresh players. Al Arabi was very close to break the deadlock in the 47th minute but Ali Khalaf's effort missed the target.
In the 75th minute, Omar al Fazari tried to score through a strong header but hit the bar with goalkeeper Abdulghafoor well beaten.
In the dying minutes, Hamed al Qallaf sent a perfect cross which was headed in by Bandar al Salamah to deliver a crucial 1-0 goal. Bandar's extra celebrations over the goal handed him a second yellow card and will miss the second leg match.
In the additional time, Seeb could not score the equaliser as the match ended in favour of Al Arabi 1-0.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Observer
2 hours ago
- Observer
Al Subhi's late equaliser sends Oman to AFC playoff
MUSCAT: In a dramatic conclusion to their AFC Asian Qualifiers — Road to 26 campaign, Oman secured the final playoff spot thanks to a last-gasp equaliser from striker Issam al Subhi, who converted a penalty deep into stoppage time to earn a crucial 1-1 draw against Palestine on Tuesday night at King Abdullah II Stadium in Amman. Al Subhi's ice-cold finish in the 97th minute, after Mohsin al Ghassani was fouled inside the box, ensured Oman advanced to the playoff stage which will be held in coming October. The late draw kept Red Warriors hopes for qualifying to the 2026 Fifa World Cup. The result saw Oman finish fourth in Group B with eleven points while Palestine on ten points bowed out in heartbreak. Oman and Palestine players in action Oman entered the match requiring only a draw to qualify while Palestine required a win to progress. Despite the pressure and playing with ten men for over twenty minutes following Harib al Saadi's red card, Oman showed resilience and tactical discipline to snatch the result in the dying moments. Palestine took the lead in the 49th minute when Oday Kharoub headed in a corner from substitute Adamhamza Kayed and sending the home crowd into raptures. The hosts had earlier looked the more dangerous side with Michel Termanini's header hitting the bar and several long-range efforts testing Oman's defense. However, despite going a goal and a man down, Oman kept their composure and their persistence was rewarded in stoppage time when a foul on substitute Mohsin al Ghassani handed al Subhi the opportunity to level the game and it was a moment he seized to dramatic effect. Oman player controls the ball FIGHTING UNTIL END Oman's head coach Rasheed Jaber praised his team's fighting spirit and ability to bounce back: ' We knew the match would be difficult for both parties and Palestine were very well organised and dangerous in the pitch. After conceding the goal and the red card, things became more complicated. But our players showed great spirit and didn't give up. I am proud of their effort and mentality.' He added 'This team deserves to be in the next phase. Now our focus turns to the playoffs. We are determined to continue our journey toward the 2026 Fifa World Cup.' He ended With the late draw earned, Oman's path to the 2026 Fifa World Cup remains alive. The playoffs in October will offer two more coveted spots for Asian countries and Oman will eye to capture on one of these tickets.


Muscat Daily
3 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Oman keeps World Cup hopes alive with draw against Palestine
Muscat – Oman kept their 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes alive after a tense 1-1 draw against Palestine on Tuesday. This draw secured them a spot in the fourth round of Asian qualifiers. The result, achieved in the final Group B fixture, saw Oman claim the final playoff berth from the group, finishing with 11 points – just one ahead of Palestine. The national team will now join Indonesia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Saudi Arabia in the continental playoff round scheduled for October. Oman coach Rashad Jaber expressed relief after the match. 'I thank God for this draw that helped us remain in the contest. I also thank the players for their efforts. We will do our best to qualify for the World Cup,' he said. Group B concluded with South Korea and Jordan earning direct entry for the 2026 World Cup. Iraq, like Oman, progressed to the playoff stage. From the other qualifying groups, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Indonesia also made it to the final round. According to former Al Suwaiq goalkeeper and sports analyst Ali al Shiyadi, the six teams will be placed into two groups of three, with matches played in a single-round format. 'The winners of each group will secure direct qualification, while the two second-placed teams will play off for a place in the global playoff, slated for March 2026.' Based on current seedings, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are in the top tier, followed by the UAE and Iraq in the second. Oman and Indonesia make up the third seeding level. The official draw for the playoff stage will take place on July 17, and Oman could be grouped with either Qatar or Saudi Arabia, alongside one of UAE or Iraq. Across Oman, the result was met with celebration. In Ruwi, football fan Hamdan al Farsi called it 'a heroic effort'. He said, 'It was a nerve-wracking game, but the players showed heart and resilience. We are proud of them.' University student Salma al Sulaimi said the team had united the nation. 'This campaign has given us hope and excitement. We believe in this team, and we'll be supporting them all the way to the World Cup.' The squad received praise on social media for their determination and for navigating a challenging qualification campaign under pressure. With attention now shifting to the July 17 draw, Oman will aim to take the next step towards a historic first appearance at the World Cup.


Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Kamada hits double as Japan thrash Indonesia 6-0
OSAKA, Japan: Crystal Palace forward Daichi Kamada scored twice as Japan rounded off their successful World Cup qualifying campaign with a 6-0 thrashing of Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia in Osaka on Tuesday. Kamada, an FA Cup winner with Palace in England this season, struck twice in the first half as already qualified Japan finished the campaign as Group C winners, scoring 30 goals in their 10 matches. Takefusa Kubo, Ryoya Morishita, Shuto Machino and substitute Mao Hosoya were also on target against Indonesia, who finished fourth in the group. Kluivert's side, who were backed by a large travelling support in Japan, advance to a further round with five other teams to decide two more Asian qualifiers for next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Japan lost their unbeaten qualifying record in a 1-0 defeat away to Australia last week, with coach Hajime Moriyasu fielding an experimental line-up with qualification already in the bag. Indonesia's Mees Hilgers (L) tries to defend as Japan's forward Shuto Machino scores his team's fifth goal. — AFP He started with two more debutants against Indonesia, handing first caps to defender Junnosuke Suzuki and winger Shunsuke Mito. Kamada opened the scoring in the 15th minute, heading home from a Mito cross. The Palace forward turned provider for his team's second, combining with Kubo before the Real Sociedad man fired past Indonesia goalkeeper Emil Audero. Indonesia lost defender Kevin Diks to injury midway through the first half and his replacement Yakob Sayuri lasted only 15 minutes before he also had to go off after a clash of heads. Kamada scored Japan's third on the stroke of half-time, waltzing through the Indonesia defence before tucking the ball over Audero. Morishita volleyed home at the back post in the 55th minute for his first international goal. Machino and Hosoya also got on the scoresheet as Japan continued to squeeze Indonesia until the final whistle. — AFP