The Week 1 action of 2019-20 QNS Stars League witnessed plenty of thrill and excitement. A total of 21 goals were scored, two matches were drawn and one red card was shown. All games were played at the Al Sadd and Al Janoub Stadiums, which have cooling technology, and that helped the players settle into their stride straightway.

Four players - Ahmed Sayyar of Al Sadd, Mahmoud Al Mawas of Umm Salal, Hamdi Harbaoui of Al Arabi and Ahmed Alaaeldin of Al Gharafa - scored two goals each.

Al Sadd began their title defence with a 4-1 victory over Al Wakrah. The promoted side held the reigning champions 1-1 until the 74th minute before conceding three late goals.

Al Sadd’s goals were scored by Abdulaziz Al Ansari, Abdelkarim Hassan and Ahmed Sayyar (two).

Mohamed Benyettou gave Al Wakrah’s reply.

The victory further boosted Al Sadd’s confidence as The Wolves had won the season-opening, one-off Sheikh Jassim Cup game against Al Duhail.

The Wolves had also made it to the quarterfinals of AFC Champions League by defeating Al Duhail on aggregate.

Qatar SC gave Al Duhail a scare as they led by a goal until The Red Knights scored two late goals to seal victory. Yousef Msakni, who returned to the Al Duhail fold after a stint with Qatar-owned Belgian club KAS Eupen, and Almoez Ali scored for Al Duhail after DR Congo striker Junior Kabananga, who joined Qatar SC this season, netted their goal.

Al Gharafa had it easy against Al Shahania, winning 3-0, with goals coming through Ahmed Alaaeldin (brace) and Sofiane Hanni.

Both goals in the game between Al Sailiya and Al Khor came off penalties. Karim Ansari put Al Sailiya ahead and then it was Al Khor’s turn to draw parity through Tiago Bezerra from the penalty spot.

Al Arabi then defeated Al Ahli by a 3-1 margin. Hamdi Harbaoui, who represented Qatar SC in the 2014-15 season, contributed two goals and Pierre-Michel Lasogga one goal for Al Arabi, while Hernan Gonzalez netted Al Ahli’s consolation goal.

A Rayyan and Umm Salal were locked in a 2-2 draw in the last encounter.

Lee Jaeik and Rodrigo Tabata scored Al Rayyan’s goals, while Syrian striker Mahmoud Al Mawas struck Umm Salal’s both goals.