Umm Salal continued their winning run by beating Al Shamal 3-1 in Week 5 of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Al Bayt Stadium on Friday.

Nasser Ibrahim (27th minute), Kenji Gorre (52nd minute) and Andy Delort (90+3 minute penalty) were on target for Umm Salal, who recorded their second successive win of the season.

Ali Olwan (45+1 minute) scored the only goal for Al Shamal.

Umm Salal, who had defeated Al Ahli 3-1 in Week 4 for their first points, moved on to eight points, while Al Shamal remained on three points.

Al Shamal registered their intention of collecting the maximum points from the match right from the blast of the whistle as Ricardo Gomes’ left-footed shot from the left side of the box just after the kick-off was almost finding the net if not for the sharp reflexes of goalkeeper Landing Badji, who prevented what could have been one of the fastest goals of the season.

After a series of missed chances on both sides, Umm Salal took the lead in the 27th minute after Oussama Tannane made a fast break and then slid a laser-focus pass to Nasser Al Nasr, who then wasted no time in beating goalkeeper Abdullah El Rady with his left-footed shot from the centre of the box that went straight to the bottom right corner.

The goal seemed to have jolted Al Shamal back to life as they played with more purpose and precision soon after, with more chances falling their way.

After several missed attempts, Olwan restored parity for his side just before halftime after firing a right-footed shot from the left side of the box to the high centre of the goal following a Mowafak Awad cross.

Umm Salal went straight on the offensive in the second half, with the team piling considerable pressure on Al Shamal’s defence.

It was therefore no surprise that coach Patrice Carteron’s men restored their lead in the 53rd minute through Gorre, who got on the end of Delort’s pass to fire home a left-footed shot from the centre of the box.

Not satisfied with the lead, Umm Salal continued to make several dangerous incursions into their opponents’ half with waves of relentless attacks and Al Shamal’s defence eventually capitulated with El Rady conceding a penalty following a foul on Meshaal Al Shammari in the penalty area.

The resultant spot kick was coolly converted in the third minute of added time by Delort to make it 3-1 for Umm Salal.