Firmino Scores As Al Sadd Blank Al Gharafa, Guedes Gives Al Rayyan Win Over Al Duhail

DOHA: Roberto Firmino opened his account for Al Sadd with a clinical strike, while Roger Guedes netted the decisive goal for Al Rayyan, as both sides picked up key victories in the Qatar Stars League yesterday.

At the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, defending champions Al Sadd continued their resurgence with a dominant 2-0 win over Al Gharafa.

Al Sadd, coached by Felix Sanchez, showed no signs of the early slip against Qatar SC and produced a powerful display to hand Pedro Martins' Al Gharafa their first defeat of the season. The Wolves opened the scoring early, with Youcef Atal finding the net in just the fourth minute. The Algerian full-back surged in from the right and fired a low drive into the far corner.

Al Gharafa thought they had equalised three minutes later, but Mohammed Muntari's header from Yacine Brahimi's free-kick was ruled out for offside.

Al Rayyan's Roger Guedes celebrates after scoring against Al Duhail.

Al Sadd continued to press, with Guilherme Torres hitting the post from an Akram Afif corner, while Joselu missed a golden chance for Al Gharafa, failing to connect with Saifeldeen Fadlalla's inviting cross.

Goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar kept the visitors in the game with a fine save from Paulo Otavio's powerful strike as Al Sadd took a one-goal lead into the break.

Al Sadd doubled their lead in the 51st minute, with Firmino – the marquee summer signing – netting his first goal for the club. The former Liverpool star finished off a neat move started by Afif, who created space inside the box before laying off a short pass for Firmino to slot home calmly.

The win lifted Al Sadd to second place with six points, behind leaders Al Shamal on goal difference. Al Gharafa slipped to fifth following the defeat.

Al Rayyan edge Al Duhail in tight contest

Earlier at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Roger Guedes' 61st-minute volley gave Al Rayyan a hard-fought 1-0 win over Al Duhail, piling more pressure on the Red Knights, who remain winless this season.

Despite dominating early spells, Al Duhail were unable to capitalise. Benjamin Bourigeaud came close with a long-range lob that forced Al Rayyan goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Nada into a sharp stop. The in-form keeper was again called into action, charging out of his box for a brave diving header to deny another attack.

Just before halftime, Krzysztof Piatek missed a crucial opportunity after being played through by Edmilson Jr., firing straight into Abu Nada's hands from a promising position.

Al Duhail's best chance came shortly after the break, when Adil Boulbina broke free but opted for a premature lob from distance that sailed wide of the left post.

The missed chances cost Al Duhail dearly. In the 61st minute, Julien De Sart's header struck the crossbar, and Guedes reacted fastest, smashing in the rebound to seal all three points for Al Rayyan.

“We played a strong match and made the most of our chances in the second half with high pressing and pressure on Al Duhail's goal,” said Abu Nada, who was named Man of the Match.

“We aim to give our best in every match. The season is still long, and Al Rayyan has what it takes to go far in the league.”

With the win, Al Rayyan climbed to fourth in the standings with six points, while Al Duhail remain in 10th with just one point from three matches.

Today's matches include a tie between Al Arabi and Umm Salal with Al Shahania and
Al Wakrah squaring off in the day's second match.

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