Saturday 11 / May / 2024
MUSCAT: Oman’s domestic league title holders Al Nahda cruised to a 4-0 win over Jabal Al Mukaber Club of Palestine in Group A of the AFC Cup 2023/24 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex (SQSC) on Monday.
The win revives Al Nahda’s hopes of advancing to West Zone semi-finals following their 2-1 defeat to Lebanon’s Al Ahed in the previous group game.
The group was thrown open on Monday as Mustafa Juned’s strike earned Syria’s Al Futuwa SC a 1-0 win over Al Ahed FC of Lebanon at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium in Al Hasa.
With all the four teams earning three points after three rounds, the battle intensifies in the next round, with only the group winners assured a place in the West Zonal semi-finals.
Al Nahda lead the table after two rounds on better goal-difference, having scored five and conceded two to have a difference of 3 goals. Al Ahed have scored two and conceded two while Al Futuwa have scored one and let in one so far while Jabal Al Mukaber have scored just one goal and gave in four.
At the SQSC, a late kickoff at 9pm meant that temperatures were much pleasant to play and the match got off to a lively and sizzling start with the visiting Palestine club Jabal threatening in the 12th minute but Mahdi Issa failed to find the target with a headed effort.
Al Nahda got into the action at the 17th-minute mark with Billel Bensaha seeing his effort from an acute angle blocked, while Salah Al Yahyaei had his shot from distance denied.
It was not until the half hour mark that Al Nahda really threatened and they finally broke the deadlock four minutes later with Al Yahyaei setting up Issam Al Subhi nicely to score from close range.
The Buraimi Governorate side, who won a domestic double last season under coach Hamad Al Azani, with Omantel League and His Majesty's Cup titles, increased the pressure and were rewarded with their second goal in the 39th minute with Al Yahyaei the orchestrator once again as he relayed the ball for Bensaha to slot home.
Jabal tried to force their way back but neither Shihab Qumbor, Mohammed Obaid nor Mohammed Yamin could reduce the deficit going into the break.
Al Nahda picked up from where they left off with Abdul Aziz Khalfan extending their advantage in the 51st minute when he finished off a wonderful team effort from inside the box following Bensaha’s through ball.
Jabal fell further behind in the 64th minute when Abdullah Fawaz scored in style following a counter-attacking move involving Yahyaei.
Al Nahda take on Syria side Al Futuwa, while Jabal will be aiming to bounce back when they face Al Ahed on Matchday Three on October 23.
