Al Sadd players celebrate after Baghdad Bounedjah scored against Al Markhiya during their QNB Stars League Round 12 match, yesterday. PICTURES: Abdul Basit
Striker Baghdad Bounedjah scored the winner as reigning champions Al Sadd registered their third successive victory at the QNB Stars League (QSL), edging Al Markhiya 1-0 at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium yesterday.
Al Ahli were the biggest gainers on the opening day of Round 12 as the Nebojsa Jovovic-coached side jumped to fourth in the standings with a 3-1 victory over 10-man Umm Salal. Al Gharafa also claimed full points after a 2-1 win over bottom side Al Sailiya to continue their pursuit of a top four finish.
Al Sadd, who won Qatar Clasico and Qatar derby against Al Rayyan and Al Arabi respectively, had a strong start taking the lead in 12th minute.
Rodrigo Tabata set up the goal finding Musaab Mohamed to send in a cross to Bounedjah, who tapped the ball from goal area into an open net as Al Markhiya’s goalkeeper Loukay Sherif Ashour had rushed out to the left.
Al Sadd could have scored more but Ashour denied them further goals with his brilliant defensive display thwarting several attempts by the Wolves.
Nevertheless, the defending champions achieved their target of clinching a win that took them to 16 points – seven behind leaders Al Duhail.
“We achieved an important victory,” Al Sadd coach Juan Manuel Lillo said after the win yesterday. “We played better after the goal, controlled the match and got several good chances to kill the match off, but we failed to score,” he added.
At Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium, Sofiane Hanni scored a brace as hosts Al Ahli put up a dominant show against Umm Salal after conceding an early goal.
After Jonathan Kodjia gave the Orange Fortress lead in the seventh minute, the Brigadiers responded through Hossein Kanaanizadegan, who converted a 29th-minute penalty.
Hanni netted his first goal in 31st minute and scored his second in 71st minute, a couple of minutes after Umm Salal were dealt with a blow as Adbelrahman Raafat was shown the red card after he handled the ball while taking an evasive action to a free kick ball.
Following the win, Al Ahli moved to 17 points from 11 matches while Umm Salal stayed 10th with 7 points from 10 games.
Earlier at the same venue, Al Gharafa rallied to beat Al Sailiya 2-1 to take their tally to 16 points from 11 matches. Al Sailiya went ahead through an Ismail Khafi strike in 10th minute with Mehdi Tahrat equalising for the Cheetahs in the 46th minute. Farid Boulaya netted the winner in 78th minute, giving Pedro Martins his first win as Al Gharafa coach.
Al Sadd's Baghdad Bounedjah celebrates with a teammate.
Al Sailiya remained on four points in the last place after suffering their ninth defeat.
Al Duhail look to stay top in tough Al Wakrah clash
Today, Al Duhail are eyeing a victory against third-placed Al Wakrah in top-of-the-table clash to retain their top spot.
The tie at Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium is expected to produce thrilling action with both the in-form sides coming off from impressive wins in their previous games. Al Duhail thumped Al Shamal 2-0 while Al Wakrah outclassed Al Sailiya 5-0 after a dominant display in their Round 11 match.
“We know that we will face a very dangerous team that has managed to score many victories and are one of the top teams. But I am very confident in the team’s abilities to present what is required on the pitch,” Al Duhail coach Hernan Crespo told a pre-match press conference yesterday.
Al Wakrah defeated Al Duhail 4-2 in the first leg and Crespo admitted the Blue Waves pose another tough challenge for the Red Knights.
“I trust the players’ motivation to go into this game, which will not be easy because Al Wakrah are looking for the top spot in the standings and we want to maintain our position,” said the coach.
At Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium, Qatar SC and Al Arabi will square off in another anticipated battle.
While second-placed Al Arabi are aiming to regain their top spot, Qatar SC will fight to regain their fourth spot. Al Arabi are on 22 points while Qatar SC are fifth with 16 points from nine matches.
Earlier at the same venue, Al Shamal and Al Rayyan will play for points in their Round 12 clash. Al Rayyan are 11th and are hoping for better results while Al Shamal, who are in eighth place with 10 points, are also seeking a win.
