Al Sadd 2 Al Ahli 1Hamroun and Boundejah shine again as Wolves beat Al Ahli
Al Sadd and Al Ahli faced off at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium for Friday’s second QSL match with both teams vying for an unbeaten start to the season after taking three points from their respective opening matches.
The match started slowly with neither team taking charge and creating any clear chances. In front of home fans, Al Sadd soon settled into a rhythm and the Wolves’ superstar skipper, Xavi Hernandez, and new Algerian summer signing, Jugurtha Hamroun, began controlling the centre of the field.
Al Sadd were gifted a penalty after 20 minutes following some clumsy defending from Al Ahli’s Fred Dabanka, who bundled down Baghdad Boundejah in the box. Hassan Al Haydoos converted from the spot, and although Al Ahli’s goalkeeper guessed the right way, the power from Al Sadd’s number 10 was too much and Al Sadd took a 1-0 lead.
Al Ahli didn’t let their heads drop after going behind and nearly scored the equaliser just minutes after the match resumed when Ndombe Mubele went on a zipping run into the box from the touchline, darting towards the Al Sadd box and driving a shot towards the near post, only to be denied by the woodwork.
Al Ahli continued to look for an equaliser in the second half and was duly awarded a free kick 25 yards out as the game approached the 50 minute mark. Former Iranian international, Mojtaba Jabbari, hit the free kick which initially drew cheers from the stands after it appeared to go in, only for fans to realise it hit the side netting just split seconds later.
Al Sadd made it two after 66 minutes when Hamroun again justified his summer transfer by setting up teammate Boundejah for his third goal of the season. Hamroun nearly made it three just minutes later after taking on the Al Ahli defence on a fine solo run. His low shot from 22 yards out was straight at Al Ahli’s keeper though and easily smothered.
Ah Ahli continued to create chances and on the 76th minute Mubele threw The Brigadiers a lifeline and got the goal he deserved after his fine header from a free kick just outside the box beat Al Sadd’s goalkeeper at his near post.
The game was finely balanced in terms of possession for the remaining 15 minutes but Al Sadd couldn’t find a third to firmly see the tie off and Al Ahli couldn’t find the equaliser.
Al Rayyan 0 Umm Salal 0
Goaless draw between Al Rayyan and Umm Salal
QSL champions Al Rayyan took on Umm Salal in Friday’s early match at Al Sadd Stadium as both teams looked to make it two wins from two in the 2016/17 Qatar Stars League season.
While both teams had their share of chances, neither was able to find the finishing required to take advantage of some good build up play, leaving both teams with a point and a clean sheet after a goalless affair.
The first proper chance of the game fell to Al Rayyan’s talismanic captain and last week’s hat-trick hero, Rodrigo Tabata, after he was gifted a free kick in a dangerous area after being hacked down just outside the 18-yard box. The free kick, however, didn’t trouble Umm Salal keeper Baba Malick, and sailed just wide of the post.
With 15 minutes gone, Umm Salal had what looked like a strong penalty shout after their imposing striker, Yannick Sagbo, appeared to be pulled to the ground in the box as he tried to connect with a cross. The referee thought otherwise though and waved on, a decision Al Rayyan quickly took advantage of. Rayan attacker Ahmed Alaa was quick to pick the ball up and run at Umm Salal’s depleted defence but he eventually opted for a long range shot which fired over the cross bar.
Umm Salal’s Sagbo continued to cause Al Rayyan’s defence trouble and with 33 minutes drew a free kick in a dangerous area and a booking for Al Rayyan’s Abdulmajid Al Diri. The resulting free kick forced the goalie to attempt a punch which fell to Omar Yahya Rabah in the 18-yard box but the Umm Salal defender couldn’t keep the ball down and it sailed high over the cross bar.
After a scrappy start to the second half with no clear chances coming for either team, Al Rayyan’s Head Coach Jorge Fossati looked to increase his team’s attacking options and introduced Sebastián Soria on the 55th minute, replacing Ahmed Alaa.
It wasn’t long before Soria found himself in space inside Umm Salal’s box and the striker, still wearing a face mask after suffering a pre-season injury, nearly connected with a floating cross from Sergio Garcia which had Baba Malick beaten at his back post.
Umm Salal’s Sagbo had arguably the most audacious attempt of the match with a superb control and volley effort drawing a fine save on the 66th minute. Umm Salal kept up the pressure and minutes later Alef Santos, on loan from Braga, drew a foul from Musa Haroun on the edge of the box. The subsequent free kick from Umm Salal’s number 9, Thaer Bawab, drew a fine fingertip save from Al Rayyan’s goalkeeper, Saud Al Hajiri, tipping it just over the bar.
Both teams continued to fight for possession but neither side was able to find that final touch and the game ended 0-0. Both teams now have four points after a win and a draw in their first two games.
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