Al Sadd's Samtiago Cazorla and Ahmed Fathi Abdoulla vie for the ball during their QNB Stars League match played at Al Sadd Stadium yesterday.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Al Sadd lived up to the phrase last night when they rallied twice to snatch a tense 3-2 victory over Al Arabi, thanks to quick goals by Baghdad Bounedjah and Santiago Cazorla late in the match.
Leading the match 2-1, Al Arabi were sensing an upset victory over Al Sadd – still unbeaten in the season – but Bounedjah’s 90th minute header and Cazorla’s stunning shot in second minute of stoppage time shocked The Dream Team as The Wolves moved to just one win away from sealing the prestigious QNB Stars League (QSL) title.
With five more rounds to go, Al Sadd, 47 points, retained their 13-point lead over second-placed Al Duhail, who edged Al Gharafa 2-1 earlier in the day.
Yesterday’s Qatar Derby at their backyard was arguably this season’s toughest test for Xavi Hernandez-coached Al Sadd, who went into the game with 63 goals under their belt from 16 outings.
Al Sadd coach Xavi said: “It was a crazy match in which we deserved to win. We respect the Al Arabi team a lot, but they relied on wasting time throughout the match, and therefore the victory in the last minutes was well deserved.”
He added: “All competitors face Al Sadd with passion and this make challenge tough for us. I am proud of my players for their performance in this match.”
Al Arabi, playing without the supervision of coach Heimir Hallgrimsson – tested positive for coronavirus last week - matched their spirited Amir Cup final performance in which they gave scare to The Wolves before going down fighting 2-1 last December.
Veteran striker Sebastian Soria scored for Al Arabi in the 10th minute, which was cancelled by his former Al Rayyan team-mate Rodrigo Tabata in the 63rd minute. Youssef Msakni regained the lead in the 77th minute before Bounedjah and Cazorla’s heroics secured 15th win of the season for Al Sadd.
The Wolves, missing star striker Akram Afif owing to a two-match ban, started in their traditional attacking style but they were far from their best in the first half. The Dream Team, on the other hand, looked composed in their attacks.
Soria smashed a brilliant header after receiving a cross from Mehrdad Keshrazi. The Uruguayan went low to connect the ball from close range giving goalkeeper Meshaal ِAissa Barsham no chance stop the move. It was Soria’s his first goal of the season.
Al Sadd, dominating the first with 64 per cent of ball possession, made several attacks for an equaliser but failed to level the match before half-time. They made at least seven attempts but had only two shots on target in the first half.
Adding to their disappointment was a yellow card to coach Xavi for arguing with referee Abdulrahman Ibrahim Al Jassim.
Meanwhile, Xavi sent fresh legs in Abdelkarim Hassan and Boualem Khoukhi in the second half, replacing Tarek Salman and Ahmed Suhail respectively. As Al Sadd looked for the equaliser, Msakni was shown a yellow card for a rash challenge against Cazorla, four minutes before the hour mark.
Soon, captain Hasan Al Haydos fired a shot from distance with Al Arabi goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada making a diving save. Moments later, Bounedjah missed a chance as his shot from inside the box went wide with just goalkeeper to beat.
Al Sadd finally earned an equaliser with Tabata’s slight touch in a goalmouth melee, following a move led by South Korean star Nam Tae Hee.
Seven minutes after his goal, Xavi replaced Tabata with Jung Woo-young in a double change following a couple of changes by Al Arabi’s assistant coach Elexander Son Freyr.
Al Duhail's Dudu and AL Gharafa's Ahmed Mohamed Alganehi in action during their Round 17 match at Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday.
With 13 minutes remaining, Msakni unleashed a stunning shot from outside the box with the ball landing in the right corner as Al Arabi regained the lead. Barsham made a long dive but he was still far away from the ball.
Soon Al Sadd created a chance but keeper Abunada blocked a shot by Tae-hee before making another impressive save from Bounedjah’s header.
Al Arabi could have doubled the lead in a counter attack but Mohamed Salah Elneel’s attempt missed the target, three minutes before time.
It was when the drama unfolded as Al Sadd fought back with two goals within a span of three minutes.
Al Arabi made a blunder by leaving Bounedjah unmarked as the Algerian headed the ball comfortably – for his 19th goal of the season – following a free hit from Cazorla.
The Spaniard then scored the winner from an angular shot, leaving Al Arabi stunned.
Earlier at Qatar SC Stadium, Mohammed Muntari (19 minute) and Eduardo Pereira Rodrigues – Dudu – (44 minute) goals helped defending champions Al Duhail beat Al Gharafa. Jonathan Kodjia (24 minute) scored for Al Gharafa.
The Red Knights consolidated their second spot with 34 points – 7 points clear of third-placed Qatar SC, who will take on Al Wakrah in their Week 17 match today.
Also yesterday, Al Rayyan thrashed Al Kharaitiyat 3-0 at the same venue after goals from Gabriel Mercado (46 + 1), Naif Abdulraheem Alhadhrami (50th minute) and Yacine Brahimi (85th minute).
Al Rayyan jumped to third spot with a tally with 28 points while Al Kharaitiyat remained on the bottom with only 6 points.
