SOHAR, Oman (Interstat) — Al Nahda defeated home side Saham 1-0 on Friday at Sohar Regional Sports Complex in Sohar, using a goal just before halftime to secure the competition result. Al Nahda moved to 2 wins, 0 losses in this competition and 3 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws across all competitions. Saham dropped to 1 win, 2 losses in this competition and 1 win, 5 losses and 3 draws overall.

The only goal arrived in the 45th minute, when Al Habashi G. scored for Al Nahda. The timing gave the visitors a lead at the break and forced Saham to chase the game after halftime. Saham could not find an equalizer, and Al Nahda held its narrow advantage through the second half. The match remained low-scoring, with the visitors making the decisive breakthrough just before the interval.

Ghanem Ramadan of Al Nahda had a statline of 90 minutes and one goal, listed among the game’s key performances. Al Habashi G. was credited with the 45th-minute goal. Al Nahda’s defense protected the one-goal lead after the restart, limiting Saham’s chances as the home side pushed forward. Saham’s attempts to level the match did not produce a goal, and Al Nahda closed out the result.

Al Nahda entered the match after a 5-1 home win over Sur Club, a 2-0 loss at Al-Faisaly Amman, a 2-1 home win over Sohar, a 0-0 draw at Ibri and a 1-1 draw at home against Saham earlier this season. Those results included competition wins and matches across other competitions. Al Nahda’s attack had produced five goals in one recent outing and two in another, while the defense also dealt with a shutout loss and a scoreless draw.

Saham’s recent form included a 3-1 loss at Fanja SC and a 1-0 home win over Sur Club, along with other results earlier in the campaign. Saham had also lost at Al-Shabab, drawn Al Nahda twice, lost to Al Seeb, lost at Sohar and drawn with Al Musannah. The home side entered the match looking to build on its win over Sur Club but could not carry that attacking output into the game.

The teams had met earlier this season, with Saham and Al Nahda playing to a 1-1 draw. That previous head-to-head result added context to the match, but Al Nahda made the single goal stand. Saham pressed for a response in the second half without success. The result gave Al Nahda another competition win and left Saham with a second competition loss. Al Nahda’s ability to protect the lead proved enough on a afternoon when the visitors did not need a second goal. Saham’s best spell came after halftime, but the home side could not turn possession into an equalizing strike.

The win moved Al Nahda to 2 wins and 0 losses in this competition, while its overall record is now 3 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws. Saham’s competition record is 1 win and 2 losses, and its overall record stands at 1 win, 5 losses and 3 draws. The game was played at Sohar Regional Sports Complex in Sohar before the final whistle confirmed the one-goal margin. The result kept Al Nahda unbeaten in the competition and extended Saham’s difficult run in the competition.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Saham 1, Al Nahda 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Al Nahda with an 88.5 percent probability to win. Al Nahda had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1. The total score of 1 went over the over/under line of 2.5.