Oman and Al-Nasr Survive Drama to Reach the Sultan Cup Quarterfinals

Match recap

Oman and Al-Nasr advanced to the Sultan Cup quarterfinals after dramatic finishes: Oman edged Al-Wahda on penalties, 7-6, after a 1-1 draw in regular time and extra time. Al-Nasr defeated Al-Khaboura 2-1 to secure their place in the last eight.

What’s next

In the quarterfinals, Al-Nasr will face Sohar, while Oman awaits the winner of the Shabab vs Dhofar Round of 16, which also includes a Bahla vs Sur matchup at the Nizwa Complex Stadium.

Key moments and goals: Batouri Suoni opened the scoring for Al-Wahda, and Mohammed Al-Mashri equalized for Oman in the 70th minute from a direct free kick just outside the area. The 1-1 scoreline held through extra time and the tie went to penalties. For Al-Nasr, Hussein Al-Shahri put them ahead in the 18th minute after a quick counter following a corner. A Nasr red card in the 28th minute left them with ten men for the rest of the game, but Khaboroura could not capitalise; Khalifa Al-Mazrouei equalised for Khaboroura in the 82nd minute. Nasr then sealed a second goal in the 86th minute on a counter, finished by Fahd Adel.

Yesterday, Saham and Sohar joined the quarterfinals after Saham beat Muscat 1-0 and Sohar beat Al-Rustaq on penalties 4-3 following a 1-1 draw. The last eight ties for the Sultan Cup will conclude Monday with Al-Masnah vs Al-Nahda at Rustaq Stadium and Al-Seeb hosting Al-Jalaan; the winners meet Saham in the quarterfinals, while Sohar faces the winner of the Khaborah-Nasr clash.

Punchlines: 1) If penalties were an exam, some teams forgot their pencils but remembered their nerves. 2) Football is drama you pay to watch, and today the script came with extra time and popcorn.