01-08-2025
Olympic team, Al Nahda book final of Khareef tourney
Muscat, August 1
The Oman Olympic national team and Al Nahda Club have qualified for the final match of the Khareef Dhofar Friendly Football Championship, hosted at Al Saada Sports Complex Stadium and organised by the Oman Football Association.
The final is scheduled for Sunday evening at 7:30 pm, with expectations of a highly competitive showdown reflecting both teams' readiness and the presence of outstanding players who have delivered impressive performances in the earlier rounds.
The two teams reached the final deservedly after consistent performances in the group stage. Al Nahda advanced by defeating Dhofar 2–1 and then edging past Al Shabab 1–0, with the team's goals scored by Mohammed al Ghafri (two goals) and Ahmed al Kaabi. The Olympic team qualified with two wins: 2–0 over Al Nasr and 1–0 over Seeb, with goals coming from Masoud al Bahri, Yasar al Balushi and Ahed al Mashaikhi.
AL MASHAIKHI NETS WINNER
In the final match of Group B, the Olympic team secured a 1–0 victory over Seeb in a tightly contested match.
Both sides started cautiously, with Seeb seeking to dominate possession in midfield while the Olympic team relied on quick counterattacks. In the 13th minute, Ahed al Mashaiki missed a golden opportunity after breaking free on goal, but his shot went over the crossbar. The decisive moment came in the 35th minute when the Olympic team won a free kick, which Al Mashaiki executed precisely to beat goalkeeper Ahmed al Rawahi.
Seeb attempted to respond with organised wing attacks and almost earned a penalty in the 40th minute, but the referee overturned the decision after consulting the VAR.
Entering the second half, Seeb showed a clear intent to equalise, making five substitutions at once to energise the attack. In the 55th minute, the Olympic team nearly doubled the lead when Luqman al Jadidi broke through but shot wide. Seeb intensified the pressure in the final quarter, creating two dangerous chances, but goalkeeper Ibrahim al Kindi's brilliance and a solid defence preserved the win.
AL GHAFRI SCORES FOR AL NAHDA
In Group A, Al Nahda snatched a valuable 1–0 victory over Al Shabab in a match that saw fluctuating momentum across its halves.
The match began evenly, with both sides sharing possession. Al Shabab attempted to penetrate Al Nahda's defence through quick passing combinations. In the 28th minute, Michel Thalco delivered a dangerous cross that was cleared by an Al Nahda defender for a corner. Al Nahda, on their part, relied on quick counters, but Al Shabab's defence held firm, ending the first half scoreless.
The balance continued into the second half, with Al Shabab's Ahmed al Riyami missing a clear chance in the 56th minute after receiving a precise pass inside the box, sending his shot just wide. Al Nahda began pushing forward more aggressively as time went on, finding the breakthrough in the 77th minute when Mohammed al Ghafri capitalised on a fast counterattack and fired a powerful shot past Abdulmalik al Badri. In stoppage time, Al Shabab's Ahmed al Riyami scored, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside, sealing Al Nahda's win.
The Olympic team enters the final with high morale and strong fitness levels, which have allowed them to keep pace with top clubs throughout the tournament. Coach Badr al Maimani will rely on his players' speed in transitions and their proficiency in set pieces, which have yielded decisive goals. However, the key challenge remains maintaining focus in the final minutes to avoid late surprises.
As for Al Nahda, under the leadership of Nasif al Bayawi, the team benefits from the experience of its players in managing big matches, with an attacking force led by Mohammed al Ghafri, who has proven to be a winning factor. Al Nahda's strength lies in defensive discipline and fast counterattacks, though the Olympic team's high pressing could test their ability to maintain defensive balance over the full 90 minutes.
