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Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
India waits with bated breath as Goa set to play Ronaldo's Al-Nassr in ACL2
Panaji: FC Goa have been drawn in the same group as Cristiano Ronaldo-captained Al-Nassr FC in the AFC Champions League Two, pitting the lowest-ranked side against one with the biggest profile in Asian football's second-tier club competition. Goa qualified for the group stage of ACL2 after a hard-fought win against Oman Professional League champions Al Seeb 2-1 at Fatorda early this week. The victory took the hosts to the main draw — 16 teams each in West and East zones — and they were delighted to have been grouped with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, besides Al Zawraa SC (Iraq) and FC Istiklol (Tajikistan). 'To be on the same field as Ronaldo, my hero, will be a dream,' said winger Brison Fernandes, the club's highest domestic goal-scorer last season. Goa will face Al-Nassr at Fatorda on Oct 22, while the away clash against the Saudi giants has been scheduled for Nov 5 in Riyadh. The Manolo Marquez-coached side will host Iraq Stars League runnersup Al Zawraa SC in the opening group game on Sep 17. The competition also includes Indian Super League (ISL) champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant, who were placed in group C, alongside Sepahan SC (Iran), Al Hussein (Jordan) and Ahal FC (Turkmenistan). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like He is our only child, we cannot see him suffer. Help us! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo The focus, though, will be on Goa and their opening group clash against Al-Nassr, who grabbed worldwide attention with the capture of Portuguese superstar Ronaldo and Liverpool legend Sadio Mane in 2023. The Saudi Pro League giants have done even better this season, with marquee summer signings like Joao Felix (Chelsea/AC Milan) and Spanish defender Inigo Martínez from Barcelona FC, while Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich) is expected to follow. Whether Ronaldo shows up with Al-Nassr in India remains to be seen. In last season's AFC Champions League Elite, Ronaldo played just one of the club's five away games. He missed the group-stage clashes against Al-Shorta FC, Iraq (unwell), Esteghlal FC, Iran (muscle fatigue), and Al Sadd SC, Qatar (already qualified) with the club giving varied reasons for his absence. In the pre-quarterfinal clash, the Portugal star did not travel for the away encounter against Esteghlal in Iran. The quarterfinal and semifinal was played at home in Riyadh and Jeddah. Reports in Saudi Arabia have suggested Ronaldo's security team advised him against travelling to some countries for the club's away matches. Fans in India though will hope that Ronaldo boards the chartered flight that will bring the Al-Nassr players to Goa. 'To go from defeating Al Seeb to now being drawn against Al-Nassr that boasts a galaxy of stars like Cristiano, Sadio Mane, Joao Felix, Inigo Martinez, it's a moment that defines everything we have worked for at FC Goa,' said CEO Ravi Puskur. 'For over a decade, we have dreamt of Goan football standing tall on the biggest stages, and today, that dream is real. This isn't just about the club; it's about every player, every staff member, and every fan who has believed in us. ' Until last week, Goa were unsure of its future, given that there is no clarity on when this season's ISL, India's top-tier football league, will kick off. Six clubs are yet to start pre-season training; three have told their players and officials that their salaries are being kept on hold. We are ready to put Goan and Indian football on the global map, and we can't wait for football lovers in India to collectively join us on this historic journey,' said Puskur. The six group stage games are scheduled to be played between Sep 15 and Dec 24, before moving into the Round of 16 from Feb 10-19 next year. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Silver lining for Indian football amid dark clouds as FC Goa qualify for ACL2
FC Goa striker Javier Siverio (right) and Al-Saeeb's Arshad Said battle for the ball at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Wednesday Margao: It was nervy, at times difficult to watch, and the six added minutes had everyone on the edge of their seats. But in the end, FC Goa survived, quite literally. Given the uncertainty surrounding this season, there were dark clouds over the future of the club. Goa though ensured they have competitive football to look forward to, from Sept to May, as they put it across Al Seeb Club 2-1 to qualify for the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two. Goals from Man-of-the-Match Dejan Drazic (25th) and Javier Siverio (52nd) gave Goa a 2-0 advantage inside the first hour. But the Oman Professional League champions fought their way back with a goal from Nasser Sultan Alrawahi (60th). The AFC Cup winners from 2022 were the dominant side from start to finish and came close to equalising on several occasions, only for the hosts to protect the lead like their lives depended on it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dog Raises 3 Tiger Cubs - Years Later Zookeeper Bursts Into Tears When Tiger Does The Unexpected Undo Goa now join ISL champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the second-tier Asian club competition. It will be the first time two Indian teams will be in the group stage of the 32-team tournament that offers over $16m in prize money with both Indian teams now being assured of $300,000 each. Playing at home, Goa had some advantages. They knew the ground conditions here, weather suited them -- even if it was overcast all through -- and had fans to back them. But with Al Seeb enjoying a large share of the ball and constantly attacking, the home crowd had little to cheer in the opening minutes. There was excitement when Drazic had the ball at his feet. The Serbian winger excelled on the left with his quick movement, and, true to form, gave Goa the lead at a time when nobody expected. It was the 25th minute and Al Seeb were distracted in the opposite half, appealing a handball. The referee saw nothing wrong, a decision that allowed Borja Herrera to do what he does best: play an instinctive long ball forward for his teammate, over the defence. Drazic brilliantly evaded goalkeeper Faraj Al Rawahi's challenge before delicately chipping the ball over Ahmed Al Khamisi, and into the back of the net. It was just the start that Goa wanted. Pushed on the back foot, without the ball, and with Al Seeb pressing at every opportunity, the hosts were forced to play a style they were not accustomed to. Against a quality opposition like the champions from Oman, it's not exactly the best strategy and they almost paid a price closer to the end of the first session. Al Seeb's attempt to cross in the 43rd minute brushed Drazic's hand, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Amid protests from Goa players, the decision was overturned, after the referee consulted his assistant. It was a lucky escape. In the second half, the momentum saw Goa extend their lead when Borja's cross off a short corner floated into the box perfectly for Siverio to rise above the goalkeeper for a poacher's finish. Two goals ahead with half an hour left to be played was never going to be easy for Goa. Al Seeb attacked in numbers; Zahir Sulaiman Al Aghbari, Ali Sulaiman Al-Busaidi and Salaah Al Yahyaei were so methodical with their passing that hardly anyone noticed when they created the chance for Alrawahi to toe home. For the next half an hour, Goa defended, with Sandesh Jhingan and Pol Moreno, at the heart of every action. There were chances to kill the game with Siverio and Brison Fernandes going close from inside the box. But in the end, that hardly mattered. Goa won, and made it to the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two, providing a rare moment of joy to a sport that's riddled here with troubles like never before.
Times of Oman
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Seeb crowned champion of Oman Professional League 2024-25
Muscat: Al-Seeb Club celebrated its Oman Professional League title victory for the 2024/2025 season following its final-round match against Al-Nasr, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Al-Seeb had already secured the championship in the previous round after defeating Al-Rustaq 1-0, maintaining a six-point lead over Al-Nahda, the second-place team. The final round also saw Saham defeat Sur 2-1, Bahla edge past Al-Shabab 4-3, Sohar win against Oman Club 2-0, Al-Nahda beat Al-Rustaq 2-0, and Al-Khaboura triumph over Ibri 1-0. At the conclusion of the league, Al-Seeb finished first with 51 points, followed by Al-Nahda with 47 points, and Oman Club in third place with 39 points. Al-Khaboura secured fourth place with 31 points. Meanwhile, Ibri was officially relegated to the First Division League, having ended the season with 20 points, joining Sur, which also failed to secure enough results to remain in the top tier.
Observer
29-03-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Dhofar clinch title, Samayil promote to OPL
MUSCAT, MARCH 29 Dhofar Club clinched the First Division League title after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Muscat in a match held at the Seeb Sports Stadium. The game started with a slight advantage for the home side, as Muscat players imposed their rhythm during the early minutes. Muscat's attacks posed significant danger to Dhofar's goal, the most notable being a powerful strike by Munthir al Wahaibi in the 15th minute that narrowly missed the post. On the other side, Mohammed al Habsi almost gave Dhofar the lead in the 41st minute with a dangerous header that went just wide of the right post. The first half ended goalless despite several chances from both sides. At the start of the second half, Muscat entered with a clear determination to win, aware that a draw would not help their promotion hopes unlike Dhofar, who played with more ease, having already secured their return to the Oman Professional League (OPL). In the 66th minute, substitute Abdullah al Mashrafi opened the scoring for Muscat with a surprise shot that deceived Dhofar's goalkeeper, Mazin al Kasbi. Despite Muscat's attempts to extend their lead, Dhofar made a strong comeback in the final minutes. They equalised in the 89th minute before Abdullah Zahir snatched the winning goal in the 92nd minute, securing the title for Dhofar in the dying moments of the game. Following the final whistle, the crowning ceremony was held under the auspices of Salem al Abdali, Director-General of Human Resources at the Royal Court Affairs (RCA), with the presence of Mohammed al Yahmadi, Secretary-General of the Oman Football Association (OFA). Dhofar's players, along with the technical and administrative staff, received gold medals, and team captain Firas al Souri was handed the league trophy. Interestingly, Dhofar players left the pitch immediately after receiving their medals without celebrating the title. The league trophy was handed to Firas al Souri instead of the team captain Ali Salem, and the team left the trophy on the field after the ceremony. Samayil Achieve Historic Promotion to the Oman Professional League for the First Time Samayil Club has written a new chapter in its football history by officially earning promotion to the Oman Professional League for the 2025/2026 season for the first time since the club's founding. This milestone came after a deserved 1-0 victory over Al Ittihad in a match played on Friday evening at the Al Saada Sports Complex in Salalah. Although the first half ended goalless, both teams showed offensive intent. The competitiveness continued in the second half with exchanged attacks, but neither side posed a real threat until the decisive moment arrived in the 75th minute. Ahmed al Farsi scored the match's only goal following a well-organised attack that he finished with a precise shot into the net, securing his team a historic promotion. With this victory, Samayil raised their tally to 19 points, securing second place in the standings behind league leaders Dhofar, thus officially earning promotion to the OPL. This achievement marks the culmination of an outstanding season for Samayil. Notably, Samayil played the entire season without a single foreign professional player, a rare occurrence in Omani football. This makes their promotion an exceptional achievement that highlights the excellence of their local players and the competence of their coaching staff.
Observer
08-03-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Rustaq & Sohar win, Al Nahda settle for a draw in OPL
MUSCAT: Al Nahda and Sur played to a 1-1 draw on Friday in a match held at Al Buraimi Sports Complex as part of Round 16 of the Oman Professional League (OPL). Al Nahda dominated the game from the start, relying on offensive pressure through the wings and midfield. However, they faced a well-organised Sur defence, which opted for counterattacks. One of these counterattacks resulted in the opening goal in the 20th minute when Yusef al Ghailani fired a powerful shot that hit the crossbar before finding the net. In the second half, Al Nahda intensified their attacks and were awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute, which Billel Bensaha successfully converted to equalise. Al Nahda pushed for a winning goal, especially after Sur's Yahya al Hudhaifi was sent off in the 80th minute, but they failed to capitalise on their chances and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. With this result, Al Nahda raised their tally to 36 points, trailing league leaders Al Seeb by two points, while Sur remained at the bottom of the table with 10 points. Al Rustaq Secures Important 2-1 Victory Over Al Nasr Al Rustaq earned a crucial 2-1 win against Al Nasr in a match held at Al Rustaq Sports Complex. Al Nasr took the lead first through Marwan Taib, who converted a penalty in the 37th minute. However, Al Rustaq quickly responded, with Ahmed al Adawi scoring an equaliser with a header in the 43rd minute, ending the first half at 1-1. In the second half, both teams exchanged attacks, with Al Rustaq coming close to scoring when Ernest's shot struck the post in the 64th minute. The decisive moment came in the 87th minute when Luqman al Jadidi scored the winning goal with a powerful strike from outside the box. From the match between Al Nahda and Sur With this victory, Al Rustaq climbed to 17 points, placing ninth in the standings, while Al Nasr remained in fifth place with 20 points. Sohar Claims Vital 2-1 Win Over Al Shabab Sohar secured a valuable 2-1 victory against Al Shabab in a match held at Sohar Sports Complex. Sohar started strongly, controlling possession and took the lead in the 26th minute through their foreign player Prince Claude. He capitalised on a cross from Ahmed Mal Allah amid defensive confusion and slotted the ball past Al Shabab's goalkeeper Abdulmalik al Badri. In the 78th minute, Mohsen Johar doubled Sohar's lead with a brilliant finish after a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. Al Shabab managed to pull one back in the 94th minute through their professional player Emerson Golo, who headed a cross into the net, deceiving Sohar's goalkeeper Majdi al Ajmi. With this win, Sohar reached 16 points but remained in 11th place, the first relegation spot, after Rustaq's victory over Al Nasr pushed them to 17 points. Meanwhile, Al Shabab, who recently won the His Majesty's Cup title, stayed at 17 points, sitting in eighth place ahead of Rustaq and Saham only on goal difference. Oman and Ibri Play to a Goalless Draw Oman and Ibri shared the points in a goalless draw at Seeb Stadium. With this result, Oman raised their tally to 29 points, maintaining third place in the standings, while Ibri reached 19 points, placing sixth.
