Saham emerge Winners of the Super Cup

Saham took home the first trophy of the season as they emerged victorious against Fanja by virtue of a Bader Al Jabri goal.

They took the early initiative as the His Majesty’s Cup Champions tested their opponents defence with a flurry of crosses into the box.

The League Champions Fanja were no far behind as they came close with a free kick but neither tested the other’s keeper too much in the first 10 minutes.

Al Raqadi of Fanja got the first clear cut chance of the game and it was sitter skied wide. The ball flashed across the goalmouth, he received it with a gaping goal not 6 yards away from him but inexplicably blasted it over the bar.

He tried to make amends moments later when he took the ball down perfectly from a deep cross but Saham keeper Suleiman Al Bureiki used his presence to put him off the shot as it narrowly missed the far corner.

Saham tried hitting back to regain momentum and a frenzy of chances went begging as they were blocked by Fanja bodies even as the final ball was scuffed and made comfortable saving for Fanja keeper Mazin Al Hosni

The game turned on its head in the 37th minute as Obeid Al Mazoufi was booked a second time for yet another reckless challenge and sent to the dressing room for an early shower. Fanja capitalised soon after just before the half time whistle but were only the able to hit the post in yet another shocking miss from within the six yard box.

The game resumed after the break and Saham showed up with a new game plan for 10 men as they held back and denied Fanja space in the final third.

It took Fanja 20 minutes to carve a chance as they finally forced Suleiman Bureiki to a save. Saham however countered from the resulting corner and Moutasim Al Shibli found himself clean through – only to fluff his lines as he look to long to make a decision on the ball.

Saham kept the momentum going and Bader Al Jabri expertly beat the offside trap to find acres of space in the box as he slotted easily past Mazin Al Hosni to open the scoring for Saham.

Fanja hit back almost instantly forcing a defender to skew his clearance just wide off the post as they immediately began looking for the equaliser.

Saham however recognized the danger and slowed down the game as they held on to see the game out and be declared Super Cup Champions.

It was indeed a memorable start to the season as Saham beat the odds with 10 men to emerge Super Cup Champions, a match that can definitely set the tone for an extremely competitive season to come.