Al Wakrah's Jacinto Dala and Al Sadd's Guilherme Torres in action during yesterday's match. Pic: Mohamed Farag
Doha: Jacinto Dala fired a second half brace as Al Wakrah edged defending champions Al Sadd 2-1 in a pulsating QNB Stars League (QSL) tie at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium yesterday.
The victory helped the Blue Waves – the only unbeaten side this season – to move one place up to second on the table with 15 points as QSL takes a long break for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 to be played from November 20 to December 18.
Al Arabi are leading the table with 16 points while Al Duhail are third with 14 points followed by Al Gharafa (12 points).
Angolan forward Dala was clearly the difference between the two sides in the second half after they displayed a balanced performance in the first half, creating several opportunities.
Initially, Al Sadd looked a better team after the break threatening Al Wakrah’s defence with attempts including the one from Andre Ayew.
They also saw their 63rd-minute goal disallowed for offside after a lengthy VAR consultation denied striker Baghdad Bounedjah a goal after his rising header following a free kick by captain Rodrigo Rabata, who returned after a two-match suspension.
Al Wakrah soon took control after the match was resumed following a VAR decision as Dala broke the stalemate in 73rd minute by netting the ball after it ricocheted off Al Sadd keeper Ivanildo Rodriguesdos’ hands, following a header from Murad Naji Hussein.
Al Wakrah could have doubled the lead but Rodriguesdos made a splendid save from a dangerous hit by Mohamed Khlied.
Al Sadd fought back with a penalty strike by Santi Cazorla in the 86th minute after Al Wakrah keeper Saoud Mubarak was penalised for a foul against Bounedjah.
But Al Wakrah took just two minutes to regain their lead, with Dala volleying the winner from the edge of the box.
Al Sadd made several efforts during 13 minutes of injury time but failed to avoid their fourth defeat of the season, slipping to ninth in the standings.
“Al Wakrah showed a strong character tonight to pull off a victory in a difficult match,” said Al Wakrah’s assistant coach Ali Rahma Al Marri.
“Despite conceding a late equaliser, the team showed determination and scored the winning goal. We are happy with our performance and we are looking to come back with same intent after the break,” he added.
Winless Al Rayyan suffer 6th defeat
Meanwhile, Al Rayyan will hope for a turnaround following the break after they suffered a 0-1 loss to Qatar SC – their sixth defeat from seven games.
Despite putting a strong show at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium last night, the Nicolas Cordova-coached side conceded an 86th-minute goal with Qatar SC star Sebastian Soria being the tormentor.
They are on the bottom with just point.
Earlier at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Yazan Al Naimat rescued a thrilling 2-2 draw for Al Ahli against Al Shamal, scoring an equaliser in 89 minutes.
Al Shamal got off to a fine start, clinching a two-goal lead after early first half strikes.
Mohsen Al Yazidi put Al Shamal on top by opening the scoring in sixth minute off a counter attack before Yacine Bammou doubled the lead three minutes later.
Hossein Kanani cut the lead for Al Ahli from a penalty strike in 59th minute after Matias Nani’s foul against Al Naimat inside the box.
Al Shamal coach Hisham Zahid was satisfied with the result as his team moved to 10 points.
“As expected it was a tough match and Al Ahli did well to take a points,” Zahid said after the match.
“We gave a strong performance in the first half but missed chances which cost us in the second half. But the players deserve praise for their strong performance and we will try to comeback with a strong performance after the break,” he added.
Al Ahli are fifth with 10 points, getting an edge over Al Shamal and Qatar on goal difference.
