A double strike from skipper Baghdad Bounedjah proved more than a handful as Al Shamal prevailed over Al Khor 2-0 in Week 16 of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League at the Al Khor Stadium on Saturday.

Algerian striker Bounedjah struck superbly and within a span of 10 minutes (23rd and 33rd minutes) to shock the rivals.

Their seventh win of the league championship saw Al Shamal move on to 22 points, while Al Khor remained rooted in bottom 12th spot with seven points, suffering their 11th defeat.

Al Khor looked for a bright start and even tried to push Al Shamal initially. In the 18th minute, Sofiane Hanni made a forceful attempt from top of the box but was left disappointed shooting just wide of right post after having the goalkeeper well beaten.

Whatever hopes Al Khor may have had were soon dashed as Al Shamal dealt the first blow following a corner kick from the right. The well-taken kick floated far and Jeison Ceron headed it down for Bounedjah to take it to on the volley and make a left-footed strike which rammed into the top of the net after blazing past the top of the left post.

And soon, Bounedjah’s second strike left Al Khor just stunned. It came following a soft move down the right and with the rival defence caught napping, Younes Mohamed El Hannach made a fine cross for Bounedjah to grab it at the top of the box and to fire into the right corner of the net this time.

There were few answers from Al Khor in the second session either as Al Shamal continued to dominate possession.

In the 88th minute, Bounedjah came close to finding a hat-trick but his powerful left-footed kick from within range was staved off by a leaping Al Khor goalkeeper Ahmed Basher Ali.