Umm Salal blanked Al Khor 1-0 in Week 13 of the 2019-20 QNB Stars League at the Al Gharafa Stadium on Saturday.

Syrian striker Mahmoud Al Mawas scored the only goal for The Orange Fortress in the sixth minute. Umm Salal moved on to eight points with only their second victory, whereas Al Khor remained on nine points with their eighth defeat.

The victory was a great relief for Umm Salal, who stayed at the rock bottom of the QNB Stars League. It was also a sweet revenge for Umm Salal, who had lost by a similar margin to Al Khor in the first leg, in Week 2 of the QNB Stars League.

Umm Salal had lost 0-4 to Al Rayyan in Week 12 before the QNB Stars League took a break.

Even a change at the helm, Moroccan Aziz Ben Askar replacing Spaniard Raul Caneda, could not help Umm Salal make a turnaround in their fortunes.

There was great anticipation prior to the match as both teams went head-to-head for vital points. A thoroughly-entertaining encounter started in dramatic fashion when Umm Salal’s Walid Mesloub’s corner nearly found its way into the goal by a dramatically scorpion-kick finish by Al Mawas.

Al Khor had defeated Al Sailiya 2-1 in Week 12, but they went down 1-2 to reigning champions Al Sadd last Tuesday in a QNB Stars League match deferred from Week 7 due to The Wolves’ AFC Champions League commitment.

Thus, The Knights’ woes continued as they are in the danger zone alongside Al Shahania and Umm Salal.