Al-Sadd defeat Qatar SC 3-1 and regain second place

Al-Sadd regained second spot in the QNB Stars League table after a 3-1 victory over Qatar SC in the Round 15 game played at the Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday.

While Qatar SC opened the scoring in the third minute itself through Omar Al-Emadi, Al-Sadd hit back with goals from Xavi (24′), Hassan Ahmed (43′) and Hamid Ismail (45+1′). Hassan Al-Haydos went on to miss a 53rd minute penalty but Al-Sadd held on to clinch the win.

The result means that Al-Sadd increase their points tally to 37 points and return to second place in the standings, after Al-Rayyan had occupied it temporarily.

The Wolves were given an early shock at the Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium when hosts Qatar SC took the lead through Al-Emadi three minutes in. The midfielder was the first to connect to a loose ball in the box, and it went in past Saad Al-Dosari.

Al-Sadd went on to dominate the game after that and had a great chance to equalise in the 15th minute, when Khoukhi Boualem sent a powerful shot at goal but Qatar SC keeper Jassim Al-Hail did well to keep it out.

Xavi then gave Al-Sadd a deserved goal with a finely executed free-kick in the 24th minute, making the score 1-1.

Al-Sadd head coach Jesualdo Ferreira was forced to make a substitution in the 30th minute when Boualem suffered an injury. He was replaced by Ahmed Suhail, who took his place alongside Morteza Pouraliganji in defence.

In the 38th minute, Abdelkarim Hassan sent in a great cross which was controlled by Al-Haydos, but the forward’s shot was saved by Al-Hail.

Youngster Hassan Ahmed then got his name on the scoresheet in the 43rd minute after taking a touch to control Abdelkarim’s pass and then putting Al-Sadd in front with a fierce strike from inside the box.

In first half stoppage time, Al-Sadd extended their lead even further when Hamid Ismail’s cross from the right deceived Al-Hail and went in over his head, giving the Wolves a 3-1 advantage at halftime.

Al-Haydos had an opportunity to make it 4-1 early into the second half when Al-Sadd were awarded a penalty after Pedro Miguel was fouled in the box. However, Al-Haydos’ effort from the spot was saved by Al-Hail.

Ferreira then brought on Ali Ferydoon in place of Abdelkarim Hassan in the 67th minute, which meant that Yasser Abubakar retreated to play in the left-back position.

Al-Sadd dominated the final part of the match completely but however, were unable to score further goals. The Wolves made their final substitution in the 85th minute, bringing on Musab Kheder in place of Hassan Ahmed. The referee then signalled for four minutes of additional time before blowing for full time and giving Al-Sadd a 3-1 win.

MATCH DETAILS

Al-Sadd x Qatar SC (QNB Stars League Round 15)

Venue:

Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium, Qatar Sports Club

Lineups:

Al-Sadd: Saad Al-Dosari, Pedro Miguel, Yasir Abubakar, Xavi Hernandez, Ali Asad, Hassan Al-Haydos, Hamid Ismail, Abdelkarim Hassan (Ali Ferydoon), Boualem Khoukhi (Ahmed Suhail), Hassan Ahmed (Musab Kheder), Morteza Pouraliganji

Qatar SC: Jassim Al-Hail, Mohammed Salim Al-Rabei, Mohammed Al-Jabri, Omar Al-Emadi, Osama Omari (Youssef Al-Kubaisi), Abdulrahman Hussain, Khaled Mahmoudi, Bruno Gallo, Abdullah Mubarak Al-Arimi (Jassim Al-Hashmi), Ibrahim Jamal, Luis Jimenez (Ali Awad)

Result:

Al-Sadd won 3-1

Goals:

Omar Al Emadi 3′

Xavi Hernandez 24′

Hassan Ahmed 43′

Hamid Ismail 45+2′

Bookings:

Hamid Ismail 18′

Abdullah Al-Araimi 26′

Pedro Miguel 72′

Referees:

Saoud Al-Athba (Main referee)

Juma Burshaid (Linesman)

Nasser Al-Doss (Linesman)

Saoud Ahmed (Fourth official)

Abdullah Al-Athba (Additional)

Abdulhadi Al-Ruwaili (Additional)