QNB Stars League: Al-Sadd grab top spot with a thrilling 3-1 win over Al-Duhail

Al-Sadd climbed to the top of the QNB Stars League table after completing a thrilling 3-1 comeback win over rivals Al-Duhail on Tuesday at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.

The result increased Al-Sadd’s points tally to 38, taking above them Al-Duhail, with a lead of two points.

Youssef El Arabi opened the scoring for Al-Duhail in the sixth minute, only for Al-Sadd to level through an own goal from Lucas Mendes a few minutes later. Salem Al-Hajri then struck in the 89th minute to put the Wolves in front, before Baghdad Bounedjah secured the result with a third goal in the third minute of stoppage time.

Al-Duhail started the game with more intensity and were given the opportunity to take the lead in the sixth minute, after the referee awarded them a penalty for Khoukhi Boualem’s handball in the box. El Arabi stepped up to convert the spot kick, giving his side a 1-0 advantage.

Just three minutes later, Al-Sadd equalised. Akram Afif dribbled past two defenders and got into the box before sending in a cross that was deflected in by Al-Duhail defender Mendes.

The teams then went on to battle it out in midfield, with each side looking to gain control of the ball. In the 34th minute, Jung Woo-young released Bounedjah with a through ball but Al-Duhail keeper Khalifa Abubakar was on hand to gather. The referee then blew for halftime, with the sides still locked at 1-1.

In the second half, Al-Sadd fashioned a number of chances to score but were unable to make them count. In the 50th minute, Afif had only the goalie to beat after being set up by Bounedjah’s back-heel but he saw his effort kept out for a corner.

Hassan Al-Haydos then sent in a good cross in the 63rd minute, but Khoukhi Boualem’s header went over the crossbar.

Al-Sadd head coach Jesualdo Ferreira made his first change of the game in the 65th minute, bringing on Al-Hajri in place of Jung. It would prove to be an inspired substitution.

After more missed chances, Al-Hajri found himself with the ball at his feet, just outside the box in the 89th minute. The young midfielder got past Karim Boudiaf with a touch and then cut in to his left foot, before lashing in an unstoppable shot past Abubakar to put Al-Sadd in the lead.

Four minutes later, Bounedjah put the cherry on the cake with a third goal, finishing off Afif’s squared pass to give Ferreira’s side a 3-1 win and the prized top spot before the league break.

MATCH DETAILS

Al-Sadd x Al-Duhail (QNB Stars League Round 9 – postponed game)

Venue:

Jassim bin Hamad Stadium

Lineups:

Al-Sadd: Saad Al-Dosari, Pedro Miguel, Khoukhi Boualem, Tarek Salman, Hamid Ismail, Gabi, Xavi (Yasir Abubakar), Jung Woo-young (Salem Al-Hajri), Hassan Al-Haydos, Akram Afif, Baghdad Bounedjah

Al-Duhail: Khalifa Abubakar, Mohammed Musa, Ali Afif, Bassam Al-Rawi, Lucas Mendes, Luiz Martin (Murad Naji), Assim Madibo, Karim Boudiaf, Almoez Ali, Youssef El Arabi, Edmilson Da Silva

Result:

Al-Sadd won 3-1

Goalscorers:

Youssef El Arabi 6′ (PEN)

Lucas Mendes 9′ (OG)

Salem Al-Hajri 89′

Baghdad Bounedjah 90+3′

Bookings:

Khoukhi Boualem 6′

Bassam Al-Rawi 36′

Almoez Ali 54′

Tarek Salman 84′

Referees:

Match referee: Daniele Orsato
Linesman 1: Giacomo Paganessi
Linesman 2: Sergio Ranghetti
Fourth official: Taleb Salem
Additional referee 1: Khamis Al-Kuwari
Additional referee 2: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim