Al-Sadd downs Al-Rayyan 2-1 in the Clasico

Al-Sadd downs Al-Rayyan 2-1 in the Clasico
10 Dec 2015
​Al-Sadd returned to winning ways in style after a deserved 2-1 win over Al-Rayyan in the QSL Round 12 match played at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Thursday night. The victory took to Al-Sadd to second place in the standings with 24 points.

Hamza al-Sanhaji opened the scoring for Al-Sadd after 17 minutes before Sergio Garcia equalized six minutes later. At the stroke of halftime, Brazilian striker Muriqui scored the second goal for Al-Sadd; it would prove to be the last goal of the match.

Exciting start

The match kicked off to a blistering start with both sides attacking and adding to the pulsating atmosphere. It was not long before Al-Rayyan had the first clear chance, Soria taking a shot at the Al-Sadd goal in the 5th minute before Muriqui returned the favour a couple of minutes later with an attempt that was cleared by the Rayyani defence. In the 14th minute, Nadir Belhadj penetrated from the left wing after collecting a pass from Ali Asad and played in a cross that was not met by anybody.

Hamza scores; Garcia equalizes

The 17th minute saw the first goal of the match as Al-Sadd took the lead through Hamza al-Sanhaji. Ali Asad threaded a through ball between the Rayyani defenders for the young striker to finish past Omar Barry in goal. Six minutes later, Al-Rayyan were level. Mohamme Jumua sent a cross in from the left which was headed in by Sergio Garcia to restore parity.

Muriqui adds the second before halftime

The match continued with both sides on an equal footing with an increase in midfield presence and defensive caution in front of goal. The attacking opportunites did not bear fruit until the end of the first half, when Muriqui scored in the minute added on as injury time. Al-Sanhaji turned provider this time with a perfect first time cross that the Brazilian striker finished with panache. The teams then went into the tunnel with Al-Sadd carrying a 2-1 halftime lead.

No changes at halftime

Al-Sadd began the second half without any changes in personnel amidst a flurry of Al-Rayyan attacks as they looked to even the scores. Al-Sadd players, on the other hand, tried to respond through quick counter attacks using the trio of Ali Asad, Muriqui and Khalfan Ibrahim with the added help of al-Sanhaji and Belhadj down the wings.

Al-Haydos replaces Hamza

The Wolves made their first change in the 59th minute when Hassan al-Haydos replaced Hamza al-Sanhaji, who left the field with a goal and assist to his name. Al-Haydos took his place on the right wing. Al-Sadd managed to impose their playing style on the game, with the distribution of the players on the pitch and the easy movement of the ball in the attacking third. In the 60th minute, Khalfan sent a through ball to Muriqui who controlled the ball and took a shot, only for the ball to deflect off the Rayyani defence.

Ferreira makes a second change; Gaser comes on

The head coach Jesualdo Ferreira then made his second change of the game by bringing on Gaser Yahya in place of Talal al-Baloushi in the 72nd minute. A minute later, Rodrigo Tabata struck a free kick from nearly 40 yards out which hit the Al-Sadd post; Al-Rayyan defender Moussa Haroon tried to convert the rebound but it went out. Al-Rayyan continued to put pressure on the Al-Sadd defence but the Wolves stood firm. In the 87th minute, Al-Sadd were awarded a free kick from 25 yards out. Xavi stepped up and sent a brilliant effort over the wall only for Omar Barry to dive and put it out for a corner. The tense and exciting final minutes continued in this manner before the final whistle which confirmed a 2-1 win for Al-Sadd in the Clasico.

MATCH DETAILS

Al-Sadd v Al-Rayyan (Qatar Stars League Round 12)

Venue: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium

Al-Sadd XI: Saad al-Dosari, Lee Jung Soo, Ibrahim Majid, Mohammed Kasola, Nadir Belhadj (Abdulkarim Hassan), Talal al-Baloushi (Gaser Yahya), Ali Asad, Xavi, Hamza al-Sanhaji(Hassan al-Haydos), Khalfan Ibrahim, Muriqui

Al-Rayyan XI: Omar Barry, Rodrigo Tabata, Nathan, Sergio Garcia, Gonzalo Viera, Victor Caceres (Abdulmajid Anad), Koh Myong Jin, Mohammed Jumua (Ahmed Alaa), Sebastian Soria, Mousa Haroun, Abdulhamid Anad (Hamid Ismail)

Result
Al-Sadd 2-1 Al-Rayyan

Goalscorers
Hamza al-Sanhaji (17*) and Muriqui (45*) for Al-Sadd
Sergio Garcia (23*) for Al-Rayyan

Bookings
Nathan (20*), Abdulmajid Anad (31*), Gonzalo Viera (87*), Koh Myong Jin (93*) for Al-Rayyan
Hamza al-Sanhaji (40*), Lee Jung Soo (90*) for Al-Sadd

Referees
Milorad Mazic (Main referee)
Milovan Ristic (Linesman)
Dalibor Durdevic (Linesman)
Sultan Salem al-Sofyani (Fourth official)
Nayef al-Qadri (First additional)
Khaled Bouqazi (Second additional)