Al Markhiya's Aymen Hussein attempts to score as Al Sadd goalkeeper Jehad Mohammad dives during their opening match of the QNB Stars League, played at the Khalifa International Stadium, yesterday. Picture: Abdul Basit
Aymen Hussein struck a brace as promoted Al Markhiya staged a brilliant fightback to shock reigning champions Al Sadd 4-3 in the opening match of the new QNB Stars League (QSL) season at the Khalifa International Stadium yesterday.
The stunning defeat ended Al Sadd’s 49-match unbeaten run in the QSL as coach Juan Manuel Lillo suffered loss on his debut in Qatar’s top flight.
It was business as usual for Al Sadd – missing several Qatari international players attending national team’s training camp for the FIFA World Cup – in the beginning as Rodrigo Tabata took them ahead in the fifth minute with a clinical hit off a free kick from the edge of the box.
Striker Baghdad Bounedjah doubled the lead in the 37th minute after an assist from Ahmad Mohamedd Alsaeed before Second Division champions Al Markhiya bounced back strongly. After Hamroun Jugurtha cut Al Sadd’s lead with a shot on target from outside the box in the 45th minute, Hussein struck in 50th and 75th minutes to take Al Markhiya ahead.
Ali Said Al Muhannadi’s goal in the 79th minute took matter beyond Al Sadd’s reach as Santi Cazorla’s goal in the second minute of stoppage time wasn’t enough to save the Wolves from a shocking defeat.
“We conceded the goals despite our strong defense. There were some mistakes that occur in football, and this is what happened,” Lillo said.
“We must continue to work and not stop and be stronger than we are now so that we can progress and achieve our goals,” he added.
Elsewhere, Al Ahli scored a late goal to edge Umm Salal 1-0 for a winning start to the season at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
Yazan Abdallah Alnaimat scored the winner in 82nd minute after connecting a fine cross from Abdulrasheed Umaru to seal three points for Al Ahi.
Al Arabi eye winning start
Today’s first game of the opening round pits Al Arabi and Qatar SC at the Education City Stadium, with the Dream Team targeting a winning start after finishing fourth the last season.
At a pre-match press conference yesterday, Al Arabi coach Younes Ali expressed his satisfaction on team’s build up for the new season.
“I am completely satisfied with what the players presented during the camp as they all did a good job during the preparatory phase for the season. The feeling was positive and the seriousness was clear. We now need to transfer this seriousness to the field during the matches,” said Younes.
Al Ahli and Umm Salal players in action during their match at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. Pic: Rajan Vadakkemuriyil
Al Arabi trained at an overseas camp in Spain during which they played four friendly matches. They also played a friendly against Al Sadd in Doha.
Meanwhile, Qatar SC also prepared in Spain, playing three friendly matches besides a friendly against Lusail club in Doha and coach Yousef Safri was also happy with the preparations.
“The players did their best to make the training period a success both during the camp in Spain and in Doha. I should also commend the players for their efforts and high discipline during the preparation period,” he said.
In other match today, Al Gharafa and Al Sailiya will kick off their QSL campaigns at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Al Gharafa coach Andrea Stramaccioni called for a focused performance from his side.
Action during the match between Al Sadd and Al Markhiya. Pic: Abdul Basit
“Al Gharafa always play with the ambition of winning, and as we know, the first match is always difficult, and there are also many teams which are more prepared than us in the new season. So we have to provide good performance and it is very important to achieve a positive result despite the many absences that we suffer from,” he said.
Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi said his team will have to work hard for a winning start to the season.
“Al Gharafa matches always need a very competitive character and each team will try to enter the season by achieving a positive result. Al Gharafa maintain technical stability and team strength, and we need to be fully focused so that we can utilise all our capabilities to help us achieve victory,” he said.
