Qatar SC defeated Al Ahli 3-0 in the opening match in Week 15 of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League at the Al Thumama Stadium on Friday.

Sebastian Soria (25th minute), Carlinhos (45+9 penalty) and Ben Malango (46th minute) hit the bull’s eye for Qatar SC to extend their points tally to 19 points, while Al Ahli, who came into the match in fourth position with 28 points, saw their tally remain unchanged.

Erik Exposito had a good opportunity to put Al Ahli ahead in the 13th minute of play when a cross from Driss Fettouhi following a corner located him in an advantageous position, but the header from the Spaniard from the right side of the six-yard box went inches wide.

The same opportunity came begging five minutes later, this time from a cross by Julian Draxler, but Exposito again failed to hit the target with his header from the centre of the box, missing to the right this time around.

By the 25th minute, it was the turn of Qatar SC to have a clear-cut opportunity, but unlike Al Ahli, The Kings buried their chance with Soria scoring from the centre of the box after dispatching two Al Ahli defenders, following a defensive mistake that saw Carlinhos hijack the ball before laying the pass for Soria to finish off.

Attempts at restoring parity by The Brigadiers saw Amin Tihi’s right-footed shot from very close range saved by goalkeeper Sataa Al Abbasi in the 30th minute before Percy Tau almost doubled the lead for the away team in the 34th minute save for the offside flag.

With the match seemingly heading into halftime with Qatar SC’s one-goal lead, Bahaa Ellethy unexpectedly conceded a penalty for pulling down Tau in the 18-yard box in five minutes of added time. After a lengthy VAR review, the decision was made to stand and Carlinhos wasted no time in converting from the spot four minutes later, sending goalkeeper Marwan Sherif the opposite direction to double the lead for his team.

Qatar SC added their third of the night almost immediately on resumption of the second half through Malango, who scored from a very tight angle to the left after receiving a weighted pass from Eisa Ahmad.

Despite being three goals down, Al Ahli kept their spirit up and the players continued to give good accounts of themselves in their search for goals. They tried hard, but Qatar SC defence remained resolute as they ensured the three-goal lead remained till the end.