Strong contenders Al Duhail left it late to score a 2-1 win over Qatar SC in Week 1 of the 2019-20 QNB Stars League at the Al Janoub Stadium on Wednesday.

Substitute Yousef Msakni (88th minute) and Almoez Ali (90+2) scored for Al Duhail. New recruit and DR Congo striker Junior Kabananga had struck Qatar SC’s goal in the 60th minute.

Al Duhail were without Luis Martin and defender Mehdi Benatia, while attacking midfielder Yousef Msakni took the field only at the start of second half, replacing Ismail Mohammed.

Al Duhail dominated possession in the first half and they naturally created more chances. The Red Knights’ Iraqi spearhead Mohanad Ali was unlucky not to have scored on more occasions than one.

The closest Mohanad came to scoring were when he shot over an Ali Afif cross from the left and also when his shot was stopped by Qatar SC  goalkeeper Jassim Al Hail, who showed signs of continuation of his outstanding form from last season.

Al Duhail’s Paolo Edmilson, Almoez Ali and Ismail Mohammed too were off-target as the first half ended goalless. For Qatar SC, Kabananga was the livewire as he sprayed passes for team-mates, in vain.

Msakni’s presence on the field boosted the Al Duhail ranks and they kept making opportunities. The Tunisian was thwarted by Al Hail, who also collected the rebound off Almoez Ali.

But Qatar SC were not to be denied as The Kings were rewarded on the hour mark when Kabananga found the target.

Then came Al Duhail’s goals, the first off Msakni who drove home his second rebound attempt off Al Hail after Edmilson took the first shot. The equaliser was followed by Almoez’s grounder that caught rival defenders and Al Hail napping.