Xavi nets twice as Al-Sadd defeat Al-Wakrah 3-1

Xavi Hernandez led Al-Sadd to a 3-1 win over Al-Wakrah in the QSL Round 20 match played at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday.

The result meant that Al-Sadd added three more points to their tally, bringing them to 47 points on the league table, three behind leaders Lekhwiya.

Xavi netted a brace for Al-Sadd with goals in the 51st and 74th minutes before substitute Khalfan Ibrahim added a third goal in the 81st minute. Mouhcine Motouali scored Al-Wakrah’s lone goal from the penalty spot in the 56th minute.

Al-Sadd attack from the start

The match started with Al-Sadd attacking from the very beginning with their players moving well on the wings and from deep, looking to score an early goal. In the 16th minute, Hassan Al-Haydos dribbled past the defence and played a pass through to Hamza Al-Sanhaji, whose shot went wide of the Al-Wakrah’s right post.

Chances for the Wolves

Al-Sadd played with a 4-2-3-1 system with Morteza, Kasola, Abdelkarim and Hossam playing as the back four. Salem Al-Hajri and Ali Asad played as the centre midfielders while Xavi, Hassan Al-Haydos and Jugurtha Hamroun formed the attacking trio behind lone striker Hamza Al-Sanhaji. Al-Sadd went on to create chances on multiple chances but without any real danger.

Ineffective play from Al-Sadd

Al-Sadd kept up their attempts but failed to create dangerous opportunities amidst negative and ineffective play from the players, especially in their movement. In the 42nd minute, Hamroun sent a powerful shot from just outside the box but it went away from the goal. The referee then went on to blow his whistle signalling halftime, with the score 0-0.

Xavi gives Al-Sadd the lead

After the break, Al-Sadd resumed attacking and in the 51st minute, they took the lead. Hamroun got into the box and cut the ball across for the oncoming Xavi who finished past Hassan Idris, giving the Wolves a 1-0 lead in the game.

Motouali equalizes for Al-Wakrah, Khalfan comes on

In the 56th minute, Al-Wakrah were given a golden opportunity to score when they were handed a penalty after Mouhcine Motouali was brought down by Abdelkarim Hassan. Motouali stepped up and scored past Saad Al-Dosari to equalize for Al-Wakrah. Al-Sadd went on to make their first substitution in the 61st minute, bringing on Khalfan Ibrahim in place of Jugurtha Hamroun.

Xavi adds a second goal

Al-Sadd got back into the lead once again in the 74th minute through Xavi, who got his second goal. A shot from Al-Sanhaji was parried by Hassan Idriss only for the ball to fall to Xavi who finished from close range to make the score 2-1. In the 79th minute, Ali Asad was replaced by Jasir Yahya.

Khalfan scores the third goal

In the 81st minute, Al-Sadd took a 3-1 lead after substitute Khalfan Ibrahim scored by heading in after following up a deflected pass from Al-Sanhaji. Al-Sadd kept up their domination for the remaining minutes and held on to the lead going up to the final whistle, which signalled a 3-1 win for the Wolves over Al-Wakrah.

MATCH DETAILS

Al-Sadd x Al-Wakrah (QSL Round 20)

Venue:

Jassim bin Hamad Stadium

Lineups:

Al-Sadd: Saad Al-Dosari, Mohammed Kasola, Morteza Pouraliganji, Hossam Kamal, Abdelkarim Hassan, Salem Al-Hajri, Ali Asad (Jasir Yahya), Xavi, Jugurtha Hamroun (Khalfan Ibrahim), Hassan Al-Haydos, Hamza Al-Sanhaji (Meshaal Al-Shammari)

Al-Wakrah: Hassan Idriss, Mohammed Arafah, Abdulrahman Ahmed, Mouhcine Motouali, Ahmed Fadhel, Ali Hussain Rehema, Mohammed Al-Sulaiti (Al-Dokali Al-Syed), Yousufa, Ahmed Kahel, Muath Al-Salemi, Prince Ibarra (Maher Yousef)

Result:

Al-Sadd won 3-1

Goals:

Xavi 51′, 74′

Mouhcine Motouali 56′ (P)

Khalfan Ibrahim 81′

Bookings:

Abdulrahman Fakhroo 10′

Al-Dokali Al-Syed 41′

Abdelkarim Hassan 55′

Salem Al-Hajri 71′

Ali Asad 76′

Referees:

Saoud Al-Athba (Main referee)

Saoud Ahmed (Linesman)

Khaled Ayed (Linesman)

Mishary Al-Shammari (Fourth official)

Abdulhadi Al-Ruwaili (Additional)

Mohammed Nasser (Additional)