Al Sadd got their 2019-20 Ooredoo Cup campaign up and running, thanks to a comprehensive 3-1 victory against Al Shahania in Round 2 (Group A) at the Al Khor Stadium on Friday.

Al Sadd’s goals were scored by Rami Suhail (seventh minute), Abdulaziz Al Ansari (34th minute) and Talal Bahzad (64th minute). Aldoukali Al Baoure was on the scoresheet for Al Shahania in the 74th minute.

Coming into the match with no points on the board for either side, an early goal would prove to be vital as they sought progress. Al Sadd were able to get the good start they required as they quickly earned the lead inside seven minutes when Rami rose highest at the back post to meet a corner and headed the ball past Ebrahim Mordou from a difficult angle.

Al Shahania responded well and were unfortunate not to score with a couple of very good chances shortly after. First, Aldoukali flashed a shot just wide, before Abdulla Ali hit a spectacular volley from outside the area, which demanded a great save from Yousef Balideh in goal.

In spite of the pressure, Al Sadd’s quality shone through later in the half as they doubled their lead, thanks to an exquisite passage of play. Rami chipped the ball over the last line of defence, directly into the path of Al Ansari, who emphatically finished into the far corner.

The game was effectively over midway through the second half when Abdelkarim Hassan went on a teasing run before laying off the ball to Talal on the edge of the area and his sweet strike found the corner of the goal.

Al Shahania got some rewards for their endeavours when they were awarded a penalty late on after Aldoukali was brought down inside the box. He picked himself up to grab a consolation, but it was not enough to get his team back into the match.