The first match in over five years at the newly refurbished Al Ahli stadium saw Al Ahli take on Al Sadd. It was an exciting affair capped by a spectacular winning goal by Sadd’s Hassan Al Haydous. The match ended 2-1 in favour of the Wolves and most of the fans will go back talking about Al Haydous’ s audacious volley.

Sadd got an early goal in the 4^th minute through their talisman Xavi. It was a great team effort which started with defender Abdel Karim Hassan delivering a long cross from deep to Al Haydous on the right flank. The Sadd winger collected the ball and then delivered a great through ball to an unmarked Xavi who had no problem slotting it into the far corner of the net first time.

This goal helped Sadd seize the initiative as they controlled the midfield.

In the second half too Sadd looked composed and were able to thwart the sporadic attacks that the Ahli offense was able to conjure.

Then in the 52^nd minute a huge blunder from Sadd defender Lee helped Ahli get back into the game. The Korean stumbled on the edge of the box while attempting a clearance and new Brigadiers signing Ndombe Mubele was there to capitalize on the opportunity, scoring the equaliser.

He could have doubled his tally in the 70^th minute. Lee was again the culprit this time as he failed to track Mubele’s movement inside the box but the Congolese striker’s shot went over the bar from short range. 

Then the highlight of the match came when in the 83^rd minute Abdel Karim provided a diagonal cross into the box and Al Haydous volleyed the ball into the net to take all three points for the visitors.

Ahli keeper Dosari got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out. With this goal the Qatari winger opened his tally for the season and kept the Wolves in the running as they sit near the top of the table with this win.

Although the Brigadiers were hoping to send their fans home happy after the re-opening of their stadium with a win, it was not to be as Al Sadd took care of business with clinical finishing as usuall.