Al Sadd's Santi Cazorla shoots at the goal.
Doha: Al Sadd got off a flying start at the Ooredoo Cup, thrashing two-time defending champions Al Sailiya 4-0 in their opening Group A match at Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium, yesterday.
Qatar SC stunned Al Wakrah 3-1 while Umm Salal edged Al Ahli 2-1 in other group matches on the inaugural day.
Despite missing key players including Qatar international stars besides Andre Ayew, Jung Woo-young and Guillerme Torres, Juan Manuel Lillo-coached Al Sadd put up a dominant show to outclass the Sami Trabelsi’s side, which won back to back titles in the last two editions.
Captain Rodrigo Tabata and Santi Cazorla lived up to expectations, playing key roles in win for Al Sadd, who last won the Ooredoo Cup title in the 2019-2020 season.
All of Al Sadd’s goals were scored after the break but the Wolves showed their intent in the first half, making numerous attempts including hits from Tabata and Cazorla, who saw one of his strikes hitting the post.
It was substitute Hasan Ahmed Palang, who opened the scoring in the 58th minute, netting the ball with an angular shot after an assist from Ahmad Mohamedd.
Al Sadd continued to control the match with their ball possession and Cazorla put the ball in off a free kick in 75th minute to double Al Sadd’s lead.
Faisal Mohammad extended the lead with a strike in 89th minute, with Tabata sealing the victory by scoring in second minute of injury time.
Al Sadd will take on Al Wakrah in their second match on September 25 while Al Sailiya will face Al Ahli on the same day.
Later at the same venue, Qatar SC displayed an impressive show to stun Al Wakrah, who remained unbeaten in the first seven rounds of the QNB Stars League (QSL).
Qatar SC went ahead with a 25th minute strike by Javier Martines with Sebastian Soria scoring their second goal in 38th minute. Matheus Dos Santos scored in 90th minute for Qatar SC after Ismail Mahmoud scored Al Wakrah’s only goal off a penalty in 75th minute.
At Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium, Umm Salal scored through Nasser Al Naser (12’) and Ilyes Brimil (44’) to start their campaign on a winning note. Al Ahli got one when Yousef Omar scored an own goal in 38th minute.
Umm Salal will now meet Qatar SC in their second group match on September 25.
Meanwhile, the Group B teams will be seen in action today with Al Arabi meeting Al Shamal in their opening match to be played at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium in Al Gharafa.
Al Duhail will take on Al Markhiya, earlier at the same venue while Al Gharafa and Al Rayyan will square off at Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium.
Fixtures
YESTERDAY (Group A)
Al Sadd 4-0 Al Sailiya
Qatar SC 3-1 Al Wakrah
Umm Salal 2-1 Al Ahli
TODAY (Group B)
5:55pm: Al Duhail vs Al Markhiya at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium
8:05pm: Al Arabi vs Al Shamal at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium
8:05pm: Al Gharafa vs Al Rayyan at Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium
