Al Rayyan rode on a penalty strike from captain Rodrigo Tabata as they began their 2024-2025 season QSL Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Al Shahania in Group A at the Grand Hamad Stadium on Friday.

The other teams in the group are Al Duhail, Qatar SC, Al Arabi and Al Ahli.

Tabata scored from the spot in the 15th minute after he was fouled by Al Shahania’s Naif Al Hadhrami inside the box and the referee called for a penalty.

Tabata had another chance in the 29th minute at the rival goal, but this time his diagonal kick just went past the left post.

The Lions continued to hold sway and just before half-time, Mohammed Surag broke through and provided Abdulrahman Al Harazi with a fine pass, but the latter’s kick missed the target on the right.

Al Shahania came close to equalizing in the 70th minute, but much to their bad luck Abdulrahman Al Rayashi’s firm strike hit the bottom of the left post.

Eight minutes later, Al Rayyan substitute Gabriel Pereira aimed at doubling the lead, but his shot was brilliantly staved off by Al Shahania goalkeeper Ebrahim Mordou.

Al Shahania kept trying hard till late, but their efforts could bore no fruits. A free-kick just outside the box, in dying moments of stoppage time, was also held well by Al Rayyan custodian Sami Dauleh to ensure victory for his side.