(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Fawad Hussain |
The Peninsula
Baghdad Bounedjah scored a brilliant goal as defending champions Al Sadd settled for a 1-1 draw against Umm Salal in their second tie of the QNB Stars League (QSL) at the Khalifa International Stadium, yesterday.
The Wolves, who suffered a shock defeat against Al Markhiya in their opening clash last week, failed to take advantage of an early red card, with VAR sending off Umm Salal's Abdellah Khafifi in the 17th minute.
Al Sadd though created some opportunities including a 29th minute chance when Santi Cazorla hit the ball wide from a good position.
Umm Salal took the lead just before the half-time whistle when Joao Teixeira (45+2) headed the ball in after receiving a cross from captain Jonathan Kodjia.
Bounedjah scored the equaliser in the 63rd minute, firing on target from outside the box to secure a point for Al Sadd, who are missing their Qatari stars attending national training camp to prepare for the FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, Aymen Hussein, who struck a brace against Al Sadd, was again the star for Al Markhiya as they rallied for a 1-1 draw against Qatar SC at the Education City Stadium.
Qatar SC went ahead through a penalty kick from Badr Benoun (45+3), with Hussein leveling the score in 57th minute.
Al Markhiya were reduced to 10 men late in the match when Ayoub Azzi was sent off in the third minute of stoppage time.
Abdullah Mubarak-coached Al Markhiya, who were promoted after winning the Second Division title last season, are on top of the standings with four points.
Al Wakrah and Al Gharafa to meet in mouth-watering clash
In what would be the clash of winners of the opening week, in-form Al Wakrah will square off with confident Al Gharafa at the Khalifa International Stadium today.
Al Wakrah registered an impressive 4-2 win over Al Duhail in the opener while Al Gharafa got off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Al Sailiya.
Al Wakrah coach Marquez Lopez said his team was well prepared for the match.
“Al Gharafa is a good team with a good coach. They have the mentality that offers distinguished football, which I respect greatly, but of course I want to win the match,” said Lopez.
Al Gharafa coach Andrea Stramaccioni said his team was needed to give a better show against Al Wakrah than they put against Al Sailiya.
“Al Wakrah are in their best form in the presence of a distinguished coach, and the contract with an Australian defender [Trent Sainsbury] is also very good [for them],” he said. “Currently, I think we are required to do better than we did against Al Sailiya in order to achieve a positive result. I think it will be a high-level match,” Stramaccioni added.
Today's other match will pit Al Sailiya and Al Shamal at the Education City Stadium.
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