(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Chinthana Wasala |
The Peninsula
Doha: Defending champions Al Sadd defeated Al Sailiya 2-1 at the Education City Stadium yesterday in their fifth match of the QNB Stars League season. It was Al Sadd's second win this season.
Andrew Ayew put the Wolves in front in the 17th minute before Carlos Strandberg (45+1) levelled the score. However, Algerian star Baghdad Bounedjah, leading the team in the absence of Rodrigo Tabata, sealed the deal for Al Sadd in the 65th minute.
Al Sadd, who are missing out on a number of Qatari players - currently away on training with the national team, had lost to Al Gharafa 1-2 in the previous round.
The win took their points tally to seven following two loses and one draw.
The loss saw Al Sailiya stay on three points.
Al Sadd swung into action straightaway and provided Ayew with a beautiful pass on the right to rush in and beat only an onrushing goalkeeper to score the opening goal.
Al Sailiya tried hard for an equaliser as Ahmad Yasser Sebaie kicked just wide of the goalkeeper and the post on the left before Swede Strandberg broke through to storm into an empty net.
Bounedjah reversed the fortunes with a well-co-ordinated move and a superb long kick to beat the goalie to his right.
The last 20 minutes saw more hits and misses and even a penalty being called off after a VAR check in the 70th minute.
A golden chance to save the match came Al Sailiya's way in the 85th minute when they were awarded a penalty. It was taken by Fetfa, but a brilliant Rodrigues saved it. The goalkeeper punched out the ball while diving to his left.
Al Sadd defender Bahaa Al Laithi said yesterday's win will inspire the team members.
'We thank God for the victory. I congratulate the players for the effort they made. We played a strong match against a good team, but we were looking for the victory from the first minute with the aim of collecting full points,' Al Laithi said.
'We know that the team suffers from several absences, but we try to give our best and develop from one match to another, in order to put Al Sadd in the front,'the defender added.
Earlier, at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan earned their first point this season after playing out a 0-0 draw against Umm Salal.
Despite the best efforts from either side, the deadlock could not be broken and the end result saw Al Rayyan end their four-match losing streak.
Umm Salal's points tally went up to five from as many games with a win, two draws and as many losses so far.
Al Arabi face Al Duhail
Today, Al Arabi take on Al Duhail at the Khalifa International Stadium before Al Ahli meet Al Gharafa in the final match of the fifth round.
Unbeaten Al Arabi are on top of the standings with 12 points from four, wins while Al Duhail have seven points from two wins, one draw and a defeat.
Both teams are seeking to collect the three points. Their ambition is the same, which is to compete and win the league title this season.
Al Arabi, under national coach Younes Ali, have been excellent so far having conceded only one goal and scored six against their opponents.
“A difficult match against difficult opponents who have regained their level after the first two rounds and are constantly improving, but the players are fully prepared for the match and we hope to win and achieve the three points,'Ali said during a pre-match press conference.
“Big matches are easier on the psychological level of the coach because the players are fully prepared and motivated to give off their best and appear well, especially since all eyes will be on such matches and all players wish to play in such matches,' he said
Al Duhail assistant coach Sebastian Domingo said:“A strong game awaits us against table leaders Al Arabi. The match will be difficult for both teams. We faced difficulties in our previous match against Al Markhiya, but we managed to come out victorious. I expect our match against Al Arabi to be strong and exciting.'
Also today, Al Ahli face Al Gharafa at Thumama Stadium with the kick off set for 7.20pm.
Both teams are looking to continue their winning run. Al Ahli prevailed over Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa scored over Al Sadd by an identical 2-1 margin in Week 4.
Both Al Ahli and Al Gharafa have the same number of points (seven), with two wins, one draw and a defeat each.
MENAFN31082022000063011010ID1104786527
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.