Oman- 2016 AFC Cup: Arouba prevails Fanja defeated

2/25/2016 4:31:24 AM

(MENAFN- Muscat Daily)

It was a mixed day for the sultanate as Omani clubs Al Arouba and Fanja began their campaign in the 2016 AFC Cup on Wednesday.

Domestic league champion Al Arouba earned a hard-fought 2-1 win over Syria's Al Wahda at the Sur Sports Complex but Omantel Professional League (OPL) runner-up Fanja succumbed to a 0-1 defeat to another Syrian club Al Jaish at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex (SQSC).

Yousef Kalfa scored 12 minutes from time to earn Jaish a 1-0 win in the Group D game. Kalfa struck from long range to beat Fanja goalkeeper Mazin al Kasbi and give Jaish a winning start to its campaign in the continental club championship.

The Syrians had been on top throughout the opening 45 minutes but despite their dominance Ahmad al Shaar's team were unable to create enough openings in terms of goal-scoring opportunities.

Fanja improved in the second half and was on top before Kalfa went on a lengthy run that culminated in a strike that gave his side the perfect start to this year's AFC Cup campaign. In Sur second-half substitute Mohammed Taqi struck a last-minute winner for the hosts in the Group C match.

Abdulwasea al Matari had put Arouba ahead in the 54th minute but Wahda got a crucial equaliser with two minutes to go through Raja Rafe.

Other results: Group C: Air Force Club (Iraq) beat Al Dharia (Palestine) 2-1; Group D: Al Muharraq (Bahrain) beat Ahli Al Khalil (Palestine) 2-1.

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