Al Shamal defeated Al Khor 1-0 in Week 19 of the 2021-2022 season QNB Stars League at the Al Khor Stadium on Sunday.

Defender Matias Nani scored the all-important goal in the 56th minute.

Al Shamal got three valuable points and raised their tally to 16 points with their fourth victory, while Al Khor stayed on 12 points with their ninth defeat.

Both Al Khor and Al Shamal are direct competitors in the race to move away from the danger zone, so the match evoked keen interest.

And bottom-placed Al Sailiya’s victory over Umm Salal in Week 19 on Saturday increased the pressure on them.

The first half was evenly fought, with Al Shamal being the more dangerous side.

Al Khor goalkeeper Ali Nader saved a powerful shot from Majed Mohammed in the 25th minute as he pushed the ball conceding a corner kick.

Al Shamal’s Mohammed El Sayed almost scored, but his shot narrowly went wide of the right post in the 40th minute.

Al Shamal started the second half came strongly and pressurized the rivals. Nani was bang on target as he headed a corner kick into the net.

Al Khor pressed hard through the middle and from the flanks. In the 90th minute, Ahmed Hassan Al Mohannadi almost scored the equalizer with a strong shot from the edge of the penalty area, but Al Shamal goalkeeper Marwan Sherif brilliantly pushed it away.

The last minutes witnessed exciting action, but for another goal.