Al Duhail blanked Al Ahli 3-0 in Week 11 of the QNB Stars League at the Al Ahli Stadium on Monday.

Yousef Msakni (29th minute), Ismail Mohammed (45+3) and Almoez Ali (86th-minute penalty) scored the goals as Al Duhail moved to 29 points, four more than second-placed Al Rayyan who beat Al Wakrah on Sunday.

Al Duhail now have a 11-point lead over reigning champions Al Sadd, who defeated Al Gharafa in the day’s another kick-off.

However, Al Sadd have two games in hand, deferred due to their AFC Champions League commitment.

Al Ahli remained on 13 points following their sixth loss.

Al Ahli put up a brave fight, but their players could not match the pace and skills of their Al Duhail counterparts.

The scoreline did not swell because of the alertness of Al Ahli goalkeeper Ivanildo Rodriguez.

Msakni opened the scoring after he latched on to a through ball, evaded the challenge of Ali Faiz and placed the ball home past the goalkeeper.

Ismail doubled the lead moments before the half-time whistle off a cross from the left by Paulo Edmilson.

On Al Ahli’s part, Mohammed Diame skied his shot and Abel Mathias headed over the bar during the half.

On resumption, Al Duhail made forays into the rival goal time and again. The 52nd minute saw brisk action. Ivanildo blocked Edmilson’s shot, Ismail attempted the rebound and so did Ali Afif as the Al Ahli goal had a close call.

At the other end, Abel was slow to respond to a rebound from Amine Lecomte, who blocked Nabil El Zhar’s shot.

Almoez sealed the win by converting a penalty, awarded after Mohammed Diame tripped Edmilson.