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.
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