Sohar stunned 12-times champions Ahli Sidab 2-1 on penalties in the final to clinch their maiden His Majesty’s Cup hockey championship title at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Wednesday.
After being tied 1-1 after 60 minutes of regulation time, penalties from Ashraf Saeed and Qassem al Shibli catapulted Sohar to the crown.
Sohar goalkeeper Amjab Abdullah al Hasani was the star of the show with four saves that turned out to be the clincher for Sohar.
SOHAR DOMINATE EARLY
The first quarter was evenly matched between the two teams as Ahli Sidab and Sohar probed each other frequently.
The fancied Ahli Sidab side attacked the Sohar defences through skipper Salah Nasser al Saadi and Ammar Juma al Shuaibi.
Sohar attempted to thwart the Sidab backline through Ahmed Salem al Shibli and Ashraf Saeed Ahmed.
The Sohar defence stood tall through all the manoeuvres of the Sidab wingers and centre forwards.
When the second quarter began, both teams wanted to impose themselves on the other.
Sohar then upped the ante and created more pressure with their forays into the Sidab backline.
It was Sohar’s turn to upset the applecart and much against the run of play they stunned Sidab. Mohammad Ragab Ismail Abdullah’s 18th minute penalty stroke gave Sohar the all-important lead in the second quarter.
Sohar dominated the proceedings and threatened to score more goals.
SIDAB UP THE ANTE
In the third quarter, Ahli Sidab were desperately looking to equalise.
Their centre forward Rashad Salem al Fazari and winger Ashraf Taleb al Nasiri penetrated Sohar’s defences on a couple of occasions.
The much needed equaliser looked seemingly elusive to the 12-times champions.
Sohar kept poking at Sidab’s defence and even got close to claiming a penalty corner that was turned down by the referee Salem al Balushi.
Sohar skipper Samir al Balushi was close to making it 2-0 but Sidab custodian Ghassan Gharib al Hasani parried the shot.
As the fourth and final quarter began, Ahli Sidab knew it was their last chance to salvage.
In the 50th minute, Ahmad al Balushi produced a fantastic goal to equalise for Sidab as the match turned on its head.
