Oman Daily Observer

Majid helps Al Qarha lift Wadi Al Mawil football title

- ADIL AL BALUSHI MUSCAT, APRIL 22 SPORTS REPORTER BARKA, APRIL 22

Oman national team’s star midfielder Raed Ibrahim netted one of the most important goals of his football career as he led his team Valletta FC to clinch the Malta domestic league title.

Malta club Valletta FC lifted the title for the 24th time in their history as they edged Gzira United

2-1. M Piciollo scored the first goal for Al Qarha football team clinched the trophy of the fifth edition of Wadi Al Mawil football tournament which was organised by Al Nasr team.

Al Qarha edged Shabab al Hafri team 1-0 in the final match. Majid al Balushi netted the winner for Al Qarha team.

Shaikh Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali, Chairman of Majlis Ash’ shura, was the chief guest for the final in presence of top officials and fans of both teams. Chief guest Al Maawali gave away the trophies to Al Qarha team who also received 400 RO cash prize and Al Shabab al Hafri who claimed 200 RO cash prize. Al Maawali handed over the individual­s awards and felicitate­d the organising committee.

Said al Hadhrami from Al Nasr team bagged Malta in the seventh minute while Raed Ibrahim netted the second goal in the 64th minute. A Cohen struck the only consolatio­n goal for Gzira United.

The fight for the Malta league title came down to the wire as Balzan Youth Club, who were looking to claim their first-ever league crown, and Valletta Club were tied on 55 points.

The Balzan Youth Club suffered a setback to their title hopes when they the most valuable player award. Idris al Buraiki from Shabab Nakhal team grabbed the topscorer prize. Abdulaziz al Owaisi from Al Qarha team got the best goalkeeper award. At the end of the awards ceremony, Mohammed al Maawali presented a memento to the chief guest.

“I would like to thank everyone in the organising committee for their great support to make the tournament a success this tournament. Al Nasr team will keep on trying for better editions in coming future,” Mohammed Al Maawali chairman of organising committee.

“Congratula­tions to Al Qarha team and best of luck for Shabab al Hafri team in coming tournament­s. We are looking forward to an even better technical performanc­e in the tournament­s In the future,” Mohammed al Maawali added. went down fighting 1-0 to Hibernians Club. It was a case of history repeating itself for Balzan Youth Club as they were close to clinching the title last year as well but ultimately ended up being the secondplac­ed team.

With this title triumph, Raed Ibrahim has become the third profession­al Omani player to be part of domestic league winning side.

Earlier, about two weeks back, Ali al Habsi won the Saudi league title with Al Hilal while Nader Awadh had the opportunit­y to win the Qatar second division title. The 25-year-old Raed was a crucial cog in the wheel as far as Valletta’s march to the title was concerned. The Omani midfielder was at his best in the match against Gzira United and impressed one and all with his technical prowess.

Raed, who hails from Sur, will spearhead the Valletta attack one again in the Malta Cup quarterfin­al round. The Omani youngster will be keen for another achievemen­t with Valletta by helping them lift the Malta Cup trophy.

Raed Ibrahim has been a part of quite a few successful clubs in the last three years. In 2015, he was a Omantel League title winner with Al Oruba while in 2016 he bagged the same crown with Fanja. In 2017, Raed managed to lift the title with winners Dhofar.

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