Latest news with #Bahla
Observer
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Seeb edge Bahla to win fourth OFA Cup
MUSCAT, MAY 19 Seeb's first football team was crowned champion of the 2024-2025 Oman Football Association Cup for the fourth time in its history after defeating Bahla 2-1 in the final at Seeb Sports Stadium. The match was held under the auspices of Basil bin Ahmed al Rawas, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports and Youth. The opening minutes saw Seeb dominate possession seeking an early goal, relying on the pace of their attacking players who launched several dangerous attempts on Bahla's goal. The most notable being Al Mushaifri's powerful shot that narrowly missed the post in the 15th minute. Despite Seeb's pressure, Bahla showed solid defensive organisation thanks to standout performances by Omar al Hinai and professional player Loki Vikimi, along with goalkeeper Salah al Handhali, who made several crucial saves. Just when Seeb seemed in control, Bahla surprised their opponents a minute before half-time when Abdulsalam al Shukaili capitalised on a perfect through ball from Hosni al Hinai, breaking free and slotting the ball past goalkeeper Ahmed al Rawahi to give Bahla the lead. The first half ended with Bahla ahead 1-0. The second half started with a faster tempo, with Seeb players showing greater focus and determination to quickly equalise, applying continuous pressure from the first minute on Bahla's goal. Seeb's attacking play became more effective, featuring quick, short passes that unsettled Bahla's defence, which tried to absorb the pressure while relying on counter-attacks led by Abdulsalam al Shukaili and Kipama Malova. BAHLA'S RESISTANCE In the 55th minute, Seeb finally broke Bahla's resistance when Jameel al Yahmadi delivered a perfect cross to professional player Aboubakar Kamara, who rose above the defenders and headed the ball into the net to the left of goalkeeper Al Handhali, levelling the match at 1-1. Seeb players receive the trophy. — Abdulwahid al Hamadani The play remained balanced in the middle stages of the half, with Bahla making timid attempts to regain the lead, the most notable being a shot by Faisal al Balushi that narrowly missed the post. Then in the 82nd minute, substitute Omar al Malki scored the winning goal for Seeb with a brilliant header from a precise cross that caught goalkeeper Al Handhali off guard. Despite Bahla's late attempts to equalise, Seeb's defence held firm until the referee's whistle confirmed Seeb's title victory. At the end of the match, guest of honour Basil al Rawas honoured the refereeing team, followed by the players and technical staff of Bahla, the tournament runners-up, before presenting the Seeb players and their technical and administrative teams with the championship trophy, officially concluding the 2024-25 football season. Pics by Abdulwahid al Hamadani
Observer
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Jaber focuses on fitness in early training sessions
MUSCAT: The coaching staff of the national football senior team focused on enhancing players' physical fitness and overall readiness as Red Warriors began their training session on Wednesday night as part of the team's preparatory programme for the remaining matches at AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26. Under the guidance of head coach Rasheed Jaber and his technical staff, the initial phase of the camp started with more highlight on fitness training sessions particularly as the domestic season has only recently concluded. After the opening training session on Wednesday at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, the players went to the gymnasium on the following day aiming to build their physical condition ahead of upcoming tactical and technical sessions. The players work out in the gymnasium. The introductory training session on Wednesday featured participation of all the players in the squad except Seeb and Bahla players as they are gearing up for the OFA Cup final clash on Sunday. Also, the professional players will not take part in the first stage of the domestic camp due to club commitments including: Essam al Subhi (Iraq's Al Quwa Al Jawiya), and Al Mundher al Alawi (Al Zawra Club) while Salah al Yahyaei (Bahrain's Al Khalidiya SC) may join during May end. Mohsin al Ghassani (Bangkok United SC) ended his season at Thai league and he started the warm-up sessions with the national team besides the new joiner in the team, Tariq al Saadi (Spain's UE Sant Andreu SC). In the forthcoming days, Jaber and his assistant Yaqoob al Sabahi will move to technical and tactical preparations. The camp includes two friendly matches, beginning with a fixture against Niger on Tuesday in Muscat, followed by a warm-up match against Lebanon on May 28. In the coming days, coach Rasheed Jaber will move to technical and tactical preparations. These friendlies serve as critical preparation for Oman's decisive qualifiers in June. The Red Warriors will face Jordan in Muscat on June 5, followed by an away match against Palestine in Jordan on June 10. With qualification hopes reignited after a crucial 1-0 away victory against Kuwait and a hard-fought draw with South Korea in March, Oman aim to secure six points from the final two matches to raise their chances in securing direct berth to the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Oman currently sit fourth in the group with 10 points from eight matches, trailing group leaders South Korea by six points, with two rounds remaining. The players work out in the gymnasium. Jaber has called up 34 probables for the underway domestic camp. Squad: Ibrahim al Mukhaini, Thani al Rushaidi, Ghanim al Habshi, Amjad al Kaabi, Harib al Saadi, Abdullah Fawaz, Ahed al Mashakhey, Hussain al Shahri, Ahmed al Khamisi, Ali al Busaidy, Amjad al Harthy, Zaher al Aghbari, Arshad al Alawi, Jameel al Yahmadi, Abdulrahman al Mushaifri, Abdulmalik al Badri, Majid al Saadi, Khalid al Buraiki, Yousef al Malki, Mohammed al Ghafri, Hatim al Roushdi, Mulham al Sunaidy, Musab al Shaqsi, Mohammed Abdulhakeem, Abdulsalam al Sukhaili, Fayez al Rushaidi, Sultan al Marzooq, Hamed al Habsi, Essa al Naabi, Al Mundher al Alawi, Salah al Yahyaei, Tariq al Saadi, Mohsin al Ghassani and Essam al Subhi.
Observer
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Seeb, Bahla reach OFA Cup final after dramatic semis
MUSCAT: Seeb Club successfully secured their spot in the final of the Oman Football Association (OFA) Cup after a goalless draw against Al Nasr at Al Saada Stadium on Tuesday. Seeb benefited from their 1-0 victory in the first leg, qualifying on aggregate. The match saw an average performance from both sides, particularly in the first half, which failed to live up to expectations due to a lack of clear attacking threat. Most of the action was concentrated in midfield without any real danger on goal. Al Nasr came close to scoring in the 33rd minute when Osama Magdy delivered a cross that Marwan Taeeb headed towards goal, but Seeb goalkeeper Ahmed al Rawahi made an impressive save. Seeb responded in the 44th minute with a powerful shot from Jameel al Yahmadi, which was brilliantly saved by Al Nasr's goalkeeper Saif Mustafa, ending the first half in a goalless draw. In the second half, Al Nasr showed more urgency in attack, pressing hard on Seeb's defence but lacking precision in final attempts. Seeb nearly sealed the match in the 51st minute through Kamara, but his attempt narrowly missed the post. Despite ongoing efforts from both teams, the match ended in a goalless draw, confirming Seeb's qualification to the final based on their first-leg advantage. Bahla and Sohar players fight for the ball. BAHLA THROUGH DESPITE DEFEAT Bahla Club advanced to the final on Tuesday, despite a 3-1 loss to Sohar in the second leg of the semifinal held at Nizwa Sports Complex. Bahla secured their place in the final after the Oman Football Association ruled in their favour, awarding them a 3-0 win for the first leg, despite their actual 1-0 defeat on the pitch, due to Sohar's fielding of an ineligible player. This ruling gave Bahla the aggregate advantage, securing their place in the final. The second leg saw Sohar start strongly, taking the lead early with a powerful strike from Mohsen al Khaldi in the eighth minute. Bahla responded through Abdul Salam al Shukeili to level the score. Sohar continued to press, and Saud al Muqbali added a second goal in the 43rd minute after a solo run through Bahla's defence, ending the first half with a 2-1 lead for Sohar. In the second half, Sohar maintained their dominance, and Saud al Muqbali scored again in the 61st minute with a similar move to his earlier goal. Despite Sohar's continued efforts to add a fourth goal that could overturn the aggregate result, the match ended 3-1, which wasn't enough to change the outcome. With this result, Bahla reach the final for the fourth consecutive time, while Seeb make their third consecutive appearance. The two teams are set to face off in an anticipated showdown at Seeb Stadium next Sunday, with Bahla aiming to avenge their previous final loss to reigning champions Seeb.
Observer
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Seeb, Oman Club secure crucial wins in OPL
MUSCAT, APRIL 12 Seeb Club managed to achieve an important 1-0 victory over their guest Bahla in a postponed match from the 16th round of the Omantel League. The match was held on Friday evening at the Seeb Sports Stadium, allowing Seeb to continue leading the standings on their own. The game began with both teams cautiously testing each other, but Seeb soon imposed their clear dominance over the proceedings, while Bahla retreated into a defensive posture. Al Seeb's attempts created constant pressure on goalkeeper Salah al Handhali's net, but the final touch was missing from the attackers. Seeb came close to opening the scoring in the 43rd minute when the referee awarded a penalty after a handball by a Bahla defender. However, Omar al Malki missed the spot kick his initial shot was saved by the goalkeeper and his follow up effort went off target ending the first half in a goalless draw. In the second half, Seeb continued their attacking pressure and finally broke Bahla's defence in the 60th minute through Arshad al Alawi, who met a cross and fired it directly into the net, scoring the only goal of the match. Following the goal, Al Seeb's coach turned to his bench, making several substitutions, while Bahla's coach responded with two changes, bringing on Al Qassim al Salimi and Hamoud al Buraidi. The latter nearly scored an equaliser with a low shot inside the box, but it narrowly missed the post. Despite both teams exchanging attempts in the final minutes, Seeb held onto their lead until the final whistle, collecting three valuable points that raised their tally to 44, keeping them at the top of the league. Meanwhile, Bahla remained at 19 points in eighth place. Oman Downs Al Shabab with Al Maashari's Goal, Strengthens Hold on Third Place Oman Club clinched a valuable 1-0 away win over Al Shabab in a postponed match from the 15th week of the 2024/2025 Omantel League season. The game took place on Friday evening at Al Shabab Stadium. The only goal of the match came early in the 16th minute of the first half, after a perfectly executed direct free kick by Mohammed al Maashari that found the back of the net, giving his team an early advantage. Oman Club players delivered a strong performance both defensively and offensively, dominating most of the match and displaying clear coordination across all three lines. In contrast, Al Shabab tried to get back into the game and push for an equaliser, but Oman's defence stood firm, successfully closing the spaces and neutralising any threats. With this victory, Oman Club raised their tally to 31 points, maintaining their position in third place in the league standings, while Al Shabab remained at 20 points in sixth place.
Observer
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Sur revive hopes, Sohar and Bahla draw blank
MUSCAT, APRIL 6 Sur Club clinched a 1-0 victory over hosts Oman Club in a match held on Saturday evening at Seeb Sports Stadium, marking the opening of Round 17 of the Oman Professional League (OPL). The first half saw a slight advantage for Oman Club, who pushed to score through the movements of Mohammed al Maashari, Ahmed al Siyabi, and their foreign player Aitor. However, Sur's solid defence and goalkeeper Salem al Dawoodi's brilliance kept the score level, and the half ended goalless. In the second half, Sur's coach, Said al Farsi, made attacking substitutions, which paid off in the 62nd minute when substitute Mohammed al Muhaijri scored the winning goal. He capitalised on a cross from the left flank and slotted it past goalkeeper Abdulaziz al Hasani. Oman Club's coach, Mahdi Laouamen, attempted to equalise by introducing several attacking options, most notably Qasim Said and Traoré, but Sur's defence held firm until the final whistle, securing all three points. With this win, Sur Club raised their tally to 13 points but remained at the bottom of the table, while Oman Club stayed at 29 points in third place. - Sohar and Bahla Settle for Goalless Draw in Tactical Battle - Sohar and Bahla played out a goalless draw on Saturday evening at Sohar Sports Complex. The match was of average technical level, with both teams sharing possession in the first half, relying heavily on long balls and counterattacks. Sohar had two notable chances to score the first from a free kick by Mohsin Jawhar, and the second from a cross by Abdullah Saif, which Bahla goalkeeper Salah al Hanadhli saved brilliantly. In the second half, both teams maintained a similar pace, making several substitutions to boost energy on the field. Bahla came close to scoring in the 80th minute after sustained pressure, but Sohar goalkeeper Faiz al Rushaidi stood firm to keep a clean sheet. In the dying minutes, Sohar thought they had scored through Abdullah Saif, but the goal was ruled out for offside. With the draw, Sohar increased their tally to 17 points, placing them 11th (second-to-last), while Bahla reached 19 points to occupy seventh place in the league standings.
