Al Ahli overcame Al Shahania 2-1 in Week 9 of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League at the Al Thumama Stadium on Friday.

Al Ahli raised their tally to 18 points with their fifth victory, while Al Shahania remained on eight points following their fifth defeat.

Al Ahli and reigning champions Al Sadd, who had beaten Al Rayyan 2-1 in the Qatar Clasico on Thursday, are both on same number of points, but the latter are placed second, after Al Duhail, on better goal difference.

Al Ahli took the lead in the 13th minute through an own goal by Al Shahania defender Mark Muniesa before Abdulrahman Al Rayashi scored the equalizer for Al Shahania in the 70th minute. Eric Exposito then netted the winning goal for The Brigadiers in 90+2 minute.

The start of the match was fast-paced as Al Ahli threatened early with a shot by Idrissa Doumbia in the second minute, which was brilliantly saved by Al Shahania goalkeeper Shehab Ellethy who deflected it to a corner kick.

Al Shahania responded in the eighth minute after Alhassan Koroma was alone with the goalkeeper, but his shot hit the post before defender Amin Tihi cleared it off the goalline, wasting an almost sure goal for Al Shahania.

Al Ahli managed to take the lead in the 13th minute through Al Shahania’s Spanish defender Marc Muniesa, who mistakenly sent the ball into his own net after following up on a cross from Al Ahli’s Oumar Sekou from the left side, which Muniesa tried to clear but ended up in the net.

Al Shahania pressed hard for the equalizer and had many offensive attempts, but Al Ahli’s defence and goalkeeper stood solid, so the first half ended with Al Ahli taking the lead.

Al Shahania entered the second half more effectively, and extended their control over the match and threatened the rival goal more than once. In the 65th minute, Hossam Kamal tested Al Ahli goalkeeper Marwan Sherif hard.

Despite Al Ahli’s attempts to score the second goal, Al Shahania managed to equalize through Abdulrahman off a good cross from Koroma.

Both teams continued their attempts to score in the final minutes, but it was Spaniard Exposito who could be successful with a header, handing his side a valuable victory and three points.