Bassam Al Rawi celebrates with teammates after scoring Al Duhail's second goal yesterday.
Title contenders Al Duhail made a dominant return to the QNB Stars League (QSL) following the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 break, thrashing Al Gharafa 3-0 to top the point standings yesterday.
The Red Knights looked in brilliant form as they outplayed Al Gharafa with attacking football that saw them making as many as 25 attempts including 10 shots on target in the match at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
After a fiery start, Hernan Crespo’s Al Duhail took lead with a 31st minute strike by Ferjani Sassi with Bassam Al Rawi (48th) and Nam Tae hee (90+3’) adding two more goals in the second half.
The victory took Al Duhail to 17 points, one point clear of Al Arabi but the Dream Team can reclaim the top spot with a win over Al Ahli today.
Yesterday, Al Duhail could have scored more goals had Al Gharafa goalkeeper Yousef Hassan was not at his best. But Hassan's brilliance had no solution for Sassi, who put Al Duhail ahead with a superb header following a corner kick.
Al Duhail were more dangerous in the second half and Al Rawi’s stunning hit from a free kick from almost 40 yards that beat a two-man wall and the goalkeeper doubled their lead. Tae hee sealed the victory scoring Al Duhail’s third goal after an assist from Sassi.
Al Arabi, Al Ahli set for thriller
Meanwhile, Al Arabi coach Younes Ali hoped his team will continue their impressive run after the break and stay on top in the standings.
“Our preparations were good ahead of the return to league competition and we played more than one friendly match during the break,” Ali said ahead of the match against Al Ahli to be played at Hamad Bin Khaifa Stadium.
“Matches that come after a big break are always difficult at the mental and physical levels. The match will be difficult, especially since the competitors are Al Ahli, who are a distinguished team with good players, be they foreign or local professionals.
Nam Tae hee in action.
"They have technical and administrative stability. Al Ahli have home advantage, but we are well prepared for the match,” said Younes.
Al Ahli, who are fifth in the standings with 10 points, will look to raise their points tally as they target victory against Al Arabi.
“We are ready against Al Arabi and will make every effort to make fans happy with a distinguished technical level from the Al Ahli club. Our goal is three points,” Al Ahli coach Nebojsa Jovovic said yesterday.
“We respect Al Arabi as a great team with its great capabilities and well-known level. However, we have a distinguished and wonderful group of players who are looking to get the best results and we have all worked in the past period to be ready for the match,” he added.
Al Rayyan seek points
Meanwhile, Al Rayyan will meet Al Sailiya in today’s first match at the same venue seeking a victory in the bottom-of-the-table clash.
The Lions with just one point to their credit are on the bottom with Al Sailiya on 11th place with four points.
Coach Nicolas Cordova said victory is a must for his side, hoping luck will be on Al Rayyan’s side after the break.
“There is no room for mistakes and we must achieve victory. It is an important match for us. We were not lucky in many matches and we must achieve victory,” said Cordova.
Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi said despite struggling Al Rayyan pose a difficult challenge for his side.
“Al Rayyan are going through a period like our team, but there remains a great team that is able to return at any time and has a strong personality and includes some good players who are able to achieve positive results,” he said.
RESULT
Al Duhail beat Al Gharafa 3-0
TODAY
4:15pm: Al Rayyan vs Al Sailiya at Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium
6:25pm: Al Ahli vs Al Arabi at
Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium
