Umm Salal defeated Al Rayyan 2-1 in Round 4 (Group A) of the 2021-2022 season Ooredoo Cup at the Al Wakrah Stadium on Tuesday.

Saoud Farhan (60th minute) and Ali Al Yazidi (81st minute) scored for Umm Salal after Yacine Brahimi (18th minute) had put Al Rayyan ahead.

Umm Salal moved on to six points with their second victory, whereas Al Rayyan remained as the only team in the tournament yet to score a point, having lost all three matches.

Al Rayyan’s Yousef Omer was given marching orders by referee Saleh Rashid in consultation with the Video Assistant Referee in the 42nd minute.

Al Rayyan were more in control of the game in the first half and they deservedly took the lead through their livewire Brahimi.

The Algerian attacking midfielder was at it again three minutes later but, this time, his grounder from the top of the box was well-saved by goalkeeper Samy Beldi.

On to the second half, Al Rayyan were palpably affected by the absence of a player in their ranks even as Umm Salal grew in confidence.

On the other hand, Umm Salal were a rejuvenated lot and they equalised on the hour mark through Saoud and the goal boosted their players’ morale further.

A counter-attack helped them take the decisive lead through Sayed Hassan, whose long-range shot caught Al Rayyan goalkeeper Saoud Al Hajri unawares.

The closing minutes saw Al Rayyan make desperate attempts for an equaliser. However, Umm Salal succeeded in stoutly defending their lead.