FIFTH HM’S CUP TITLE FOR AL NASR
The Sohar Club fans certainly outnumbered their rival Al Nasr supporters at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex (SQSC), the venue of the His Majesty's Cup Football Championship final, on Thursday night. But in the end of the summit clash, it was Al Nasr fans who were celebrating the team's fifth title as the Salalah giant edged past debutant finalist in a penalty shootout 6-5 after both the teams failed to break the 2-2 deadlock at the end of regulation time and extra-time.
In a match the never rose above mediocrity, it was Sohar which first gave its fans reasons to celebrate as its Uzbek player, Maksimilian Fomin, nodded in a header into the rival goal off a flag-kick in the 22nd minute.
Al Nasr, however, did not have to wait long as Younus al Mushaifri drew parity in the 30th minute as the teams went into the break 1-1.
Soon after the break, Al Nasr went ahead through Mushaifri but Sohar equalised in the 55th minute when Muattasim al Shibli's long lob beat Al Nasr goalkeeper Ahmed al Rawahi.
Both teams failed to score in the remaining time and in the extra-time.
The penalty shootout went neck and neck with both Al Nasr goalie Rawahi and Sohar goalie Dawood al Kahali making a save each. With the scores tied at 5-5, Shibli, who had got the team's equaliser, sent his shot high over the post to spark celebrations for the Salalah side, which last won in 2006.
Later, the chief guest, H E Dr Fuad al Sajwani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, gave away the glittering trophy to Al Nasr captain Abdullah al Nouh.