Al Duhail pushed the title race of 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League into the final round with a 1-0 win over Al Arabi in Week 21 at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium of Al Duhail club on Friday.

The result also held title chasers Al Sadd’s race to the title in check even as The Wolves blanked Al Khor 3-0.

French midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud fetched the winner for The Red Knights, after being set up with a perfect pass from the left by Almoez Ali in the 22nd minute of the match. And although Al Arabi held little more possession of the ball than Al Duhail in the game, The Dream Team failed to find an equalizer.

Al Sadd are now up to 49 points, while Al Duhail are two points away on 47. Now, the final week’s matches will reveal the eventual champions of the season. Al Arabi remained on 23 points.

Al Duhail revived their slim hopes after their last week’s 0-4 disappointment against Al Shamal with a hard-fought win against Al Arabi. The Red Knights were measured and watchful being guided by their coach Chirstophe Galtier, who was back in the dugout after having missed the last match against Al Shamal.

The match against Al Arabi saw exciting moments, the first of which came in the 10th minute when Almoez dashed in front of the goal to make a connect off a Hakim Ziyech cross but the ball went just past the left post.

Four minutes later, Al Duhail’s Ahmed Abdelmaqsoud and Al Arabi’s Abdullah Marafee suffered a head collision while going for the ball and needed medical attention.

The game gained momentum after a little time and in the 32nd minute, Al Duhail’s Michael Olunga attempted a kick at the rival goal but it was well saved by Al Arabi goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada.

In the second session, an Almoez kick hit the crossbar and later an Almoez goal was ruled out as he was clearly offside while going for the ball.

In the 84th minute, Al Arabi’s Ahmed Alaaeldin twisted his ankle inside the rival box and just when he had two defenders converging on him. The referee ruled out any foul.