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Observer
03-03-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Seeb to take on Kuwait's Al Arabi in AFC Challenge
Muscat: Oman's Seeb Club are gearing up to take on Kuwait's Al Arabi on Wednesday at the latter's home at Jaber Al Mubarak Al Sabah Stadium in Sulaibikhat in the quarterfinal first-leg match of 2024-25 AFC Challenge League. Seeb's delegation arrived in Kuwait on Monday and they will have two training sessions ahead of the encounter. The second-leg matches of quarterfinal round are on March 12 and 13 while the semifinals are scheduled on April 9 and 17 in two legs too. The final match of the AFC Challenge League will be held on May 10. The runners-up of the HM Cup and the league leaders are entering the match with strong advantage as they have managed to win all the three matches to top Group C. Seeb had a memorable continental debut in 2022 after they lifted the historic AFC Cup. Seeb are inch closer to lift the second consecutive and fourth overall Oman Professional League shield as they are currently leading the table order of the top domestic league. Seeb head coach Nikola Djurovic will depend on the stars who are representing the current squad of the national football team including: Jameel al Yahmadi, Mohammed al Musallami, Ahmed al Khamisi and Zaher al Aghbari besides former players like Eid al Farsi, Abdulaziz al Maqbali and others. On the other hand, Al Arabi from Kuwait advanced to the knockout stage as the best runners-up in the West Region, besides that they are 17-time Kuwait Premier League champions. Al Arabi SC managed to earn a 2-1 win over Al Nasr in the last round of Kuwait's league and they revived their hopes to compete against Kuwait SC in the standings list of the league. In the other matches of West Asia, the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata will host Group A winners East Bengal of India against Group B winners FC Arkadag. The home side, who won their maiden Super Cup in 2024, are appearing in a knockout stage for a fifth time and were AFC Cup semifinalists in 2013. Their opponents from Turkmenistan, meanwhile, have enjoyed a remarkable rise since being founded in 2023 – two successive league and cup doubles have been achieved by winning all 66 domestic matches to date and they will eye further progress on their continental debut.
Observer
30-01-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Al Nasr, Seeb and Al Shabab secure HM Cup semifinal spots
Muscat, Jan 30 Al Nasr secured a commanding 4-0 victory over Dhofar in their second-leg clash on Wednesday at Salalah Sports Stadium in the HM Cup quarterfinals. With this triumph, Al Nasr advanced to the semifinals, having already won the first leg 1-0 and knocked out the defending champions from the tournament. The first half saw an exchange of attacks, with Abdul Fadel Saounina coming close to an early opener for Al Nasr, while Dhofar responded with a dangerous attempt from Mohammed al Habsi, which goalkeeper Ibrahim al Rajhi brilliantly saved. The deadlock remained until the 43rd minute, when Juma Marhoon al Habsi struck the first goal for Al Nasr, giving his team a 1-0 lead at half-time. Dhofar attempted a comeback early in the second half, but Al Nasr extended their lead in the 52nd minute through an own goal by Dhofar defender Mustafa Saal, who misjudged his clearance. Dhofar's struggles worsened when Firas al Souri was sent off in the 70th minute. Taking advantage of their numerical superiority, Al Nasr netted a third goal in the 79th minute through Khalid al Ghatrifi, before Walid al Muslami completed the rout in the 88th minute. The emphatic 4-0 victory ensured Al Nasr's well-deserved place in the semifinals. SEEB CONTINUE DOMINANCE Seeb continued their dominance over Ibri, securing another 3-0 win in the second leg of the quarterfinals at Ibri Sports Complex. This result confirmed Seeb's spot in the semifinals, having won by the same scoreline in the first leg at home. Seeb started the match strongly, aiming to settle the tie early. The opening goal came in the 16th minute when Abdulaziz al Maqbali capitalised on a well-placed cross inside the box, slotting the ball into the net. The pressure from Seeb continued, with Amjad al Harthy nearly doubling the lead in the 30th minute with a powerful shot that went over the bar. However, he made amends four minutes later with a stunning long-range strike that surprised goalkeeper Murshid al Hamhami, making it 2-0. Not satisfied with a two goal lead, Seeb struck again four minutes later when Ahmed al Khamisi headed home a well taken cross, wrapping up the first half with a 3-0 lead. In the second half, Ibri attempted to close the gap through counter-attacks and had a dangerous opportunity in the 66th minute via Yahya al Yaqubi, but he failed to convert. Meanwhile, Seeb maintained control of possession but could not add to their tally. The match ended 3-0, confirming Seeb's deserved qualification to the semifinals. AL SHABAB EDGE SOHAR Al Shabab secured a place in the semifinals after holding Sohar to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday at Sohar Sports Complex, advancing on aggregate after winning the first leg 1-0. The match was evenly contested, with both teams creating chances but failing to find the net. Al Shabab's Hatim al Roshdi and Hassan Korani posed a threat, while Sohar's best opportunities came through Abdul Muin al Marzouqi and Youssef al Saadi, but neither side could capitalise. With this result, Al Shabab will face Al Nasr, while Seeb take on Saham in the semifinals. The first-leg matches are scheduled for February 7 and 8, with the return legs of the semifinals set for February 14 and 15.
