Al-Sadd suffer 1-2 defeat to Al-Markhiya in QNB Stars League opener

Al-Sadd fell to a 1-2 defeat to Al-Markhiya in their opening fixture of the 2017-18 QNB Stars League, which was played on Saturday at the Grand Hamad Stadium.

Xavi opened the scoring for Al-Sadd in the 20th minute before substitute Mohammed Salah Al-Neel scored twice in the 82nd and 85th minutes to clinch the win for Al-Markhiya.

Al-Sadd began the match in spirited fashion and despite Al-Markhiya displaying caution at the back, the Wolves threatened to score. In the 12th minute, Pedro Miguel crossed into the box but Hassan Al-Haydos’ header was kept out by Al-Markhiya keeper Fahad Younes for a corner. Xavi then played in a dangerous cross but there was no one to meet it.

The Al-Sadd captain then gave his side the lead after netting from a free-kick in the 20th minute. The reply from Al-Markhiya was quick and they went on the offensive but Saad Al-Dosari stood firm in the Al-Sadd goal.

Al-Sadd went on to dominate proceedings and controlled possession in midfield leading upto halftime. The referee signalled for two minutes of additional time before ending the half, with Al-Sadd leading 1-0.

In the second half, Al-Sadd continued from where they left off and enjoyed most of the possession. However, they were not able to pose any real danger. Instead, it was Al-Markhiya who threatened to score the equalizer in the 56th minute with Karikari’s strike which was kept out by Al-Dosari.

Al-Sadd made their first substitution in the 58th minute with Meshaal Al-Shammari coming in to replace Ali Asad and play on the left wing. A period of calm ensued in the match, especially with the prevailing weather conditions.

Al-Markhiya then managed to turn the tables on Al-Sadd within the space of four minutes. Substitute Mohammed Salah Al-Neel first converted a pass from Alain Traore to equalize before adding a second goal off a Karikari assist to take the lead for his team.

Although Al-Sadd tried hard to get back into the game, Al-Markhiya held on to register the 2-1 win.

MATCH DETAILS

Al-Sadd x Al-Markhiya (QNB Stars League)

Venue: Grand Hamad Stadium

Lineups:

Al-Sadd: Saad Al-Dosari, Pedro Miguel, Yasser Abubakar, Ahmed Bader Sayyar, Jugurtha Hamroun, Xavi, Ali Asad, Hassan Al-Haydos, Khoukhi Boualem, Salem Al-Hajri, Morteza Pouraliganji

Al-Markhiya: Fahad Younes, Musaab Mahmoud, Tijan Jaiteh, Saleh Al-Yahri, Talal Ali, Kwame Karikari, Alhaj Mohammed, Ahmed Salem (Mahmoud Attiyah), Rebin Sulaka, Mohammed Shabaan, Ali Mejbel

Result:

Al-Markhiya won 2-1

Goals:

20′ Xavi Hernandez (Al-Sadd)

Mohammed Salah Al-Neel 82′, 85′ (Al-Markhiya)

Referees

Abdulhadi Al-Ruwaili (Main referee)

Mohammed Dharman (Linesman)

Zahi Al-Shammari (Linesman)

Faisal Al-Yafei (Fourth official)

Khamis Al-Kuwari (Additional)

Hamad Al-Subaei (Additional)