Al Duhail emerged as clear Group A leaders of 2024-2025 season QSL Cup with a solitary-goal win over Al Rayyan in the third round (Group A) at the Grand Hamad Stadium of Al Arabi club on Friday, October 4, 2024.

Luis Alberto scored successfully from a penalty in the 25th minute for Al Duhail, who also missed one from the spot in the dying moments of stoppage time.

The win took The Red Knights to the top of Group A table with nine points from three positive results, while Al Rayyan are in second place with six points, ahead on goal difference with Al Arabi (also on six points).

Group A also features Qatar SC, Al Shahania, Al Arabi and Al Ahli.

It was the first loss of the tournament for Al Rayyan, who despite battling hard failed to find the target against Al Duhail.

The Red Knights showed their intent early in the very second minute when a Romero kick kissed the right post at the top.

Al Rayyan made a good move in the 22nd minute, but Mohammed Abdelfatah Surag when in the clear shot over.

Minutes later, Al Duhail made a charge and inside the box, Romero was felled tackled by two defenders and a resulting foul saw the referee signal for the penalty.

Romero slotted the ball in coolly in the centre beating a diving Al Rayyan goalkeeper Fahad Younis.

Ten minutes later, Al Rayyan’s Surag made a fine kick after a counterattack, but his strike was pushed away by a stretched Duhail goalkeeper Bautista Burke. 

In the second session, the battle continued with both sides failing to find a finish despite some close chances.

In the 65th minute, Abdullah Al Ahrak of Al Duhail lost his footing and shot wide while in front of the goal.

In the dying moments of stoppage time (90+7), Al Rayyan’s Ameed Mahajneh got his hand on the ball following a tussle inside the ‘D’. The resulting penalty was however saved by goalkeeper Younis as he dived to his left to stave young Mubarak Shanan Hamza’s spot kick.

The top-four teams from each group will qualify for the quarterfinals of QSL Cup.