Ricardo Gomes scored the winner as Al Khor notched a valuable 1-0 win against Qatar SC in Week 20 of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium of Qatar SC on Saturday.

Gomes’ successful strike came in the 60th minute, while another Al Khor goal (in the 86th minute) was disallowed as Soufiane Hanni was fouled for pushing a defender in front of the goal before providing the assist.

The victory, Al Khor’s only third of the league season, took their points tally to 13 points while still being 12th in the rankings. It, however, revived their hopes of inching into the relegation play-off place (by being 11th, also depending on other results) in the two remaining games of the championship.

The loss was Qatar SC’s 10th of the league and leaves them on 22 points. The result, however, adds to the pressure on Umm Salal who are on 15 points.

Desperate to gain maximum points from the clash, both Qatar SC and Al Khor pushed hard and tight battles for the ball ensued. While Qatar SC had almost 60 per cent possession in the opening half, it was Al Khor who showed more penetration.

In the 22nd minute, Gomes found himself in the range but shot wide left of the goal.

Moments later, Qatar SC on a counter had Percy Tau charging down, but he lost out on a challenge to a rival defender inside the box.

Al Khor kept their momentum in the second half looking to make forays. They found success at the hour mark as Ahmed Reyad from the right provided Gomes with a fine cross and the tall Cape Verdean dribbled past defenders to strike on a second attempt after his first was tackled by Abdulla Hussain Al Muftah.

Later in the 76th minute, Gomes came close to scoring again when he made a U-turn in front of the goal and struck but this time his kick found Qatar SC goalkeeper Sataa Al Abbasi in the centre of the goal.

Ten minutes later, Al Khor made another fine charge and scored but the goal was disallowed.

Qatar SC had two close chances, one when Sebastian Soria struck from close and later late in the second half with a headed volley. On both occasions, Al Khor goalkeeper Ahmed Basher Ali spoiled their efforts.