(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Al Khor and Al Sadd played out a dramatic goalless draw, while Al Duhail beat Qatar SC 2-1 in the QNB Stars League yesterday.
Sadd dropped points for the first time this season and are on seven points, with Duhail a point back.
Both the teams have played a game less as their high-profile fixture was postponed owing to their commitments in the AFC Champions League. The marquee clash will be held this Wednesday at the Al Duhail Stadium.
Al Khor, who have Frenchman Hantz Frederic as their new coach, now have three points. Al Khor mainly had to thank goalkeeper Baba Djibril for his heroics, as he time and again thwarted Sadd attackers on either half. Santi Cazorla, Nam Tae-Hee, Mohamed Waad, Guilherme Torres and Rodrigo Tabata all had the tale of either being thwarted by Djibril or missed chances to tell in the first half.
Baghdad Bounedjah and Yousef Abdulrazaq took the field in the second session and they also tried hard to make a breakthrough, but in vain. Ahmed Badr Sayyar too came close in the 78th minute. However, his effort was blocked by Djibril, who was in outstanding form.
Earlier, two first half goals for Duhail was enough for Duhail to beat Qatar SC 2-1. Eduardo Rodrigues and Almoez Ali scored in the 12th and 39th minute respectively for Duhail, while Abdulaziz Adel reduced the margin for Qatar SC in the 48th minute.
Duhail opened the scoring as Rodrigues converted a through pass from Karim Boudiaf into goal following a faulty clearance by Qatar SC defender Alejandro Jimena. Duhail dominated the exchanges and they succeeded in doubling the lead as Almoez converted a penalty, awarded when he himself was fouled by Nasir Baksh.
Other than the goals, Duhail's Ramin Rezaeian made a foray into the rival area early in the game, but the move was thwarted by Qatar SC goalkeeper Jassim al-Hail. At the other end, Jimena had a header saved by goalkeeper Mohamed al-Bakri. Qatar SC reduced the margin not long after the second half started, with tall Abdulaziz Adel making good use of his height to head in a cross from the right by Nasir, who made up for his earlier lapse that resulted in the penalty goal.
Nevertheless, Al Duhail were more on the attack and Mehdi Benatia headed over the bar close to one hour. It looked Qatar SC had equalised in the 85th minute when substitute Omar al-Emadi hit his shot against the crosspiece and Jimena's shot off the rebound was collected by the goalkeeper.
Today, Al Gharafa face Al Kharaitiyat, while Al Ahli take on Al Sailiya.
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