(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
Fawad Hussain
|
The Peninsula
Doha: Baghdad Bounedjah led from the front with a goal and two assists as Al Shamal cruised to an emphatic 3-0 victory over Al Wakrah yesterday, propelling them to fifth place in the Ooredoo Stars League (OSL) at its halfway mark.
Al Gharafa, meanwhile, bolstered their position in fourth place with a 4-2 triumph over Al Shahania, while Umm Salal crushed Al Arabi 3-0 in a commanding display to climb to sixth in the standings.
At Al Janoub Stadium, hosts Al Wakrah made a lively start but failed to capitalise on their chances.
Instead, it was Al Shamal who broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, courtesy of captain Bounedjah's fine finish following a clever chip from Mohamed Musa Ali.
The goal was initially disallowed for offside but was awarded after a VAR review confirmed the Algerian striker was onside.
Just before the break, Mohammed Rafik Omar doubled Al Shamal's advantage with a sharp close-range strike, set up by Bounedjah's perfectly timed headed pass.
Al Wakrah struggled to respond despite dominating possession, frequently leaving gaps in their defence that Al Shamal exploited to full effect.
The home side's woes deepened in the 71st minute when Abdelaziz Mitwali was sent off.
VAR upgraded his yellow card to red for a reckless foul on Younes Belhanda.
Taking full advantage, Al Shamal added a third deep into stoppage time.
Substitute Suhaib Gannan found the net after an unselfish assist from Bounedjah, sealing a resounding victory.
Suhaib Gannan (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring Al Shamal's third goal.
Al Shamal now sit on 16 points, while Al Wakrah slipped to seventh place with 14 points.
Speaking after the match, Bounedjah said,“It was a big game, and we came into it well-prepared after 20 days of training together. I'm delighted with the team effort. After Al Wakrah went down to 10 men, we pressed for more goals and were rewarded in stoppage time.”
On his assist to Gannan, Bounedjah added,“I wanted to help restore his confidence. That's the team spirit we have at Al Shamal-I'm here to support my teammates and guide the young players.”
At Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium, Al Gharafa took the lead in the 19th minute when an unmarked Florinel Coman volleyed in a precise cross from Rabeh Yahia Boussafi.
Al Gharafa doubled their advantage in the 66th minute when Al Shahania's Marc Muniesa inadvertently scored an own goal while trying to clear Joselu's corner.
Ferjani Sassi extended the lead just four minutes later, heading home Joselu's assist.
Although Al Shahania fought back with goals from Pelle van Amersfoort (76') and Lotfi Madjer (90+2'), Sassi sealed the win for Al Gharafa with another header, this time from Yacine Brahimi's brilliant chip in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Al Gharafa's Ferjani Sassi (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal.
With 21 points, Al Gharafa are just one point behind second-placed Al Sadd and Al Ahli, and four points adrift of league leaders Al Duhail.
Later at Al Thumama Stadium, Umm Salal put on a dominant first-half display against Al Arabi. Kenji Gorre gave them an early lead in the 5th minute, followed by Antonio Mance's goal in the 27th minute.
Oussama Tannane sealed the win with a third goal in the 38th minute.
Umm Salal are tied with Al Wakrah on points while Al Arabi stayed 10th with 10 points.
The top flight will resume on January 10, 2025 following a break.
OSL Results:
Al Wakrah 0-3 Al Shamal
Al Shahania 2-4 Al Gharafa
Al Arabi 0-3 Umm Salal
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