Action during the match between Al Ahli and Al Sadd yesterday.
Al Ahli snapped Al Sadd’s five-match winning streak with a 2-1 victory over the defending champions in the QNB Stars League (QSL) at Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium, yesterday.
French player Sekou Yansane scored a brace to give Nebojsa Jovovic’s Brigadiers crucial points in the game heavily dominated by Juan Manuel Lillo’s Wolves.
Al Sadd, who fired at least 10 shots on target in the match they controlled with over 70 percent of ball possession, took the lead in the 36th minute through Akram Afif who fired in from just inside the box after passing through two defenders.
Yansane headed the ball in from a close range connecting an Al Dokali Al Seyed lob in the 44th minute before he took advantage of a defensive error to smash the ball into the net for Al Ahli’s winning goal in 71st minute.
While Al Sadd suffered a blow in the title race as they stayed on 22 points from 13 matches – 10 points behind leaders Al Duhail – Al Ahli climbed to sixth with 20 points from 14 matches after their fifth victory of the season.
Meanwhile, Al Gharafa also rallied at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium to edge Al Shamal 3-2 in a thrilling Round 15 match, thanks to a brace from Ahmed Alaaeldin.
Ali Olwan handed Al Shamal a lead with 10th minute goal with Alaaeldin scoring an equaliser in 38th minute. Al Shamal regained their lead through a Rabeh Boussafi strike in 44th minute while Al Gharafa responded through Ishak Beldofil (49th minute) and Alaaeldin’s (59th minutes) goals in the second half to claim victory.
Al Gharafa took their tally to 22 points after recording their sixth victory while Al Shamal still remain in the danger zone with 10 points.
Three matches will be played today with second-placed Al Arabi looking to close gap on leaders Al Duhail as they will take on Al Markhiya at Grand Hamad Stadium.
The Dream Team, coached by Younes Ali, has 28 points from nine wins and a draw.
"We are ready to face Al Markhiya, who have been putting up good performances of late, especially in their last match against Al Duhail, and our goal is to achieve the third successive victory in the league," Al Arabi coach said.
“Al Markhiya have stability on the technical staff front from last season, it gives the team an additional advantage and more harmony, but our team is ready for the match and we seek three points. I expect the players to react strongly and achieve victory," he added.
In other matches, Qatar SC will meet Al Sailiya at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium while Umm Salal face Al Wakrah later at the same venue.
