Reigning champions Al Sadd defeated Al Arabi 4-0 in Week 5 of the 2021-2022 season QNB Stars League at the Khalifa International Stadium on Friday.

Baghdad Bounedjah (59th and 76th minutes), captain Hassan Al Haydous (61st minute) and Andrew Ayew (82nd-minute penalty) scored the goals as Al Sadd strengthened their position on top of the table with 15 points with an all-win record.

Strong contenders Al Duhail, who had also won all four of their matches, were not in action in Week 5 as their match against Al Wakrah was postponed to a later date due to the health measures that prevented Al Duhail players from participating in training and matches.

Al Arabi remained on nine points after suffering their second defeat. The Dream Team have won three matches.

Al Arabi proved good match for Al Sadd in the first half, but faded in the second.

Al Sadd had more of the chances and had a goal scored by Ali Asad disallowed because Bounedjah had committed a foul on Al Arabi’s Ahmed Fathi just before the goal was scored.

During the session, Al Sadd’s Bounedjah had his header went over the bar and had his shot come off the upright, while team-mate Andre Ayew’s shot was blocked by  the Al Arabi defence.

Al Arabi captain Abdullah Marafi’s feeble shot was saved by goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham.

For Al Arabi, Yousef Msakni and Mehrdad Mohammadi too made efforts at scoring.

After a barren first half, the match came alive around the hour mark.

Bounedjah opened the scoring off  a rebound from goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada, who fumbled with collection of a Abdelkarim Hassan long-range shot. The Algerian striker only had to tap the ball in with his head.

Al Haydous soon doubled the lead with a long-ranger off a pass from Akram Afif.

Mehrdad hit a rising shot against the left upright in the 65th minute.

Bounedjah had a goal ruled offside in the 74th minute, but he scored a second time a couple of minutes later as Akram provided him with the assist.

New recruit Ayew rounded off the tally by converting a penalty awarded after Fathy pulled down Akram.