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Tribune News Network
Doha
Al Sadd got back to winning ways with a 5-1 victory over Umm Salal in Week 11 of the QNB Stars League at the Al Gharafa Stadium on Friday.
Pedro Miguel (20th minute), Hassan Al Haydous (29th), Xavi Hernandez (55th) and Akram Afif (69th and 87th) scored the goals for Al Sadd.
Yannick Sagbo scored the consolation goal for Umm Salal in the 33rd minute.
Al Sadd raised their points tally to 20 from nine matches. They now have six wins and played two games less due to their AFC Champions League commitments.
It was a blow to Umm Salal, who aim to break into the top four. They remained on 15 points.
Al Sadd controlled the game with 62 per cent possession. The Wolves forced 14 corners compared to Umm Salal's just one.
Akram took his tally to 10 in the top scorers' list with 10 goals.
It was rare that tournament top scorer and Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah (16) did not get into the scoring act. He gave the assist for Al Haydous' goal and Akram's first goal.
Umm Salal were in the game effectively in the first half when they reduced the margin.
After Pedro's goal came off an assist by Xavi and Al Haydous scored, Sagbo pulled one back with an opportunistic strike off a cross from the right by Mahmoud Al Mawas.
It was Sagbo's eighth goal this season.
Before half-time came to an end, Al Haydous came up with a cracker of a shot only to be blocked by Umm Salal goalkeeper Basel Zaidan.
Al Sadd continued in the second half from where they left off. While Xavi and Akram twice found the target, Bounedjah was unlucky to do so on a few occasions.
Al Shahania hold Al Gharafa to barren draw
In the early match, Al Shahania held Al Gharafa to a goalless draw at the Al Gharafa Stadium on Friday.
Al Gharafa moved to 15 points and Al Shahania 12.
It was the third drawn encounter for both Al Gharafa and Al Shahania.
The Cheetahs have four wins and as many defeats against their name, whereas Al Shahania have registered three victories and five losses.
Al Gharafa enjoyed a possession of 53 per cent in the first half, which they increased marginally to 55 per cent at the final whistle.
Both teams tried hard to make a breakthrough, but their efforts went in vain.
Al Gharafa missed Abdulaziz Hatem through an injury, while Al Shahania were without their ace Argentinian striker Luciano Vazquez who received his marching orders during their 1-1 draw with Umm Salal in the previous round.
The second half too did not see a drastic improvement as Al Gharafa found it hard to break a resolute Al Shahania defence.
Al Gharafa's Dutch star Wesley Sneijder scored a goal in the 59th minute, but it was ruled offside.
