MUSCAT: Bahla continued their impressive start to the Sohar International Cup with a 3-0 victory over Dhofar, while Al Nahda snatched a late 1-1 draw against Al Shabab and Fanja shared four goals with Sur in the second round.
At the Nizwa Sports Complex, Bahla followed last week’s 5-0 win over Sur with another commanding performance to register their second successive victory and move to the top of their group.
Yazid bin Sami al Rawahi scored twice in four first-half minutes, opening the scoring in the 33rd minute before doubling the advantage in the 37th. Bahla controlled the opening period and allowed Dhofar few opportunities to test goalkeeper Ibrahim al Kindi.
Dhofar improved after the interval and enjoyed a spell of pressure, with Majid al Shukaili and John Paul Ratchford among those threatening the Bahla goal. However, Al Kindi and the defence in front of him stood firm.
Al Nahda snatched a late 1-1 draw against Al Shabab in the second round of the Sohar International Cup.
Bahla remained dangerous at the other end and sealed the points in the 66th minute. Jacques Bessan’s powerful effort took a deflection off Dhofar defender Harib al Ghassani and changed direction before finding the net.
At Seeb Stadium, Al Shabab were denied victory by a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser from Mohammed al Rawahi.
Hatem al Rushdi gave Al Shabab the lead in the seventh minute, meeting a delivery from the left with a first-time finish. The goal prompted a strong response from Al Nahda, who gradually took control and pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
Al Shabab goalkeeper Abdulmalik al Badri and his defence resisted the pressure, while Yousuf al Shabibi nearly extended the lead on the counterattack, forcing Al Nahda goalkeeper Fayez al Rushedi into a fine save.
Al Nahda intensified their attacks in the second half but struggled to turn their pressure into a goal. Their persistence was finally rewarded during five minutes of added time when Al Rawahi’s shot struck the post and crossed the line to secure a 1-1 draw and a point for each side.
Bahla blanked Dhofar in the second round of the Sohar International Cup.
FANJA, SUR IN 2-2 DRAW
Meanwhile, Fanja and Sur played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher.
Alaa al Din Milad put Sur ahead in the 23rd minute after capitalising on confusion in the Fanja defence, but Khalid al Sulaimi levelled with a well-directed header in the 43rd minute.
Sur regained the lead five minutes after the restart through Abdullah al Musharafi, who exploited a gap in Fanja’s defensive cover. Al Sulaimi responded again in the 57th minute, converting Mulham al Hadhrami’s cross to make it 2-2.
Both teams created chances to win. Mohsin Johar twice went close for Fanja, while Abdulaziz al Ghailani struck the post with an ambitious effort from near the halfway line. Neither side found a decisive fifth goal, however, and the points were shared.
