Qatar SC pulled off a coup by defeating Al Gharafa 3-1 in Week 1 of the 2018-19 season QNB Stars League at the Al Sadd Stadium on Saturday.

Captain Ali Awad (51st minute) and Hussein Ali (71st and 90th) scored the goals for Qatar SC, who were slow off the blocks, but controlled the proceedings as the game wore on.

Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi gave Al Gharafa’s sole reply in the 87th.  

Both teams created many chances, but it was The Kings, who ended up 10th last season compared to Al Gharafa’s creditable fourth-place finish, who had the last laugh.

Qatar SC played under same coach from last season, Abdulla Mubarak, while Al Gharafa took the field under Frenchman Christian Gourcuff, who replaced Turk Bulent Uygun.

Al Gharafa were on the attack straightaway, with Dutch star Wesley Sneijder and Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi moving forward.

On the other hand, Qatar SC mostly resorted to counter-attacks and one such move saw Syrian spearhead Osama Omari miss a sitter in the 34th minute.

Slovakian midfielder Vladimir Weiss, who played his first competitive match after a long injury layoff, was the live-wire in the Al Gharafa ranks, whereas new recruit Sandro Ferreira pulled the Qatar SC midfield together.

After changing ends, Ali Awad, who assisted Osama in the attack, deservingly put Qatar SC ahead with a placing shot to an open goal.

After Abdelaziz Hatem hit his shot over the bar, Qatar SC’s Rami Fayez made a goalline save.

Then came new recruit Hussein’s twin-goal effort on either side of a consolation goal by Al Gharafa’s Taremi off a cross from Weiss.

Hussein first found the mark after he latched on to a through pass by Omari. The wily striker was at it again just before the five-minute stoppage time began to make it 3-1.

Qatar SC next play Al Ahli on 10th August and Al Gharafa take on Al Sailiya the following day.