+ A
A -
Tribune News NetworkDohaDefending champions Al Sadd were saved the blushes by their Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah in their 1-1 draw against a 10-man Umm Salal in their Week 2 of the 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League at the Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday.Both sides registered their first points of the season after settling for a stalemate. Umm Salal led 1-0 at half time.Umm Salal shot ahead through Joao Teixeira (45+2 minute) before Baghdad Bounedjah scored the equalizer for Al Sadd in the 63rd minute.Watched by their star player and the Qatar national team captain Hassan Al Haydos and others from the stands, Al Sadd still remained off-colour missing many of their big names now training with the national team ahead of the forthcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.As early as the 14th minute of play Umm Salal defender Abdullah Khafifi was flashed with a red following a VAR decision.Khafifi was first penalised with a yellow by the referee Saoud Ali Al Athba for a ‘handball’ incident when Al Sadd’s Andre Ayew was alone and charging towards the goal. Al Sadd were then to take a free kick before the referee again had a recheck on the TV monitor only to change his decision cancelling the yellow and showing red.In the 44th minute, a set piece cross saw Bounedjah produce a header but it sailed over the bar.Umm Salal hit back two minutes later as their skipper Jonathan Kodjia made a fine move from the right passing the ball to a lurching Joao Teixiera to head home for the lead.In the second half, Al Sadd made several attempts to make amends and Umm Salal responded through counter-attacks by the trio of Teixeira, Kodjia and Sardor Rashidov, who threatened Al Sadd’s goal but with no success.The equaliser then followed much against the run of play and in dashing style as Bounedjah sent in a 20-yard rasping shot taken from outside the box and into the far corner that beat the goalkeeper to his left.Bounedjah then again came close to scoring in the 65th minute but his header again sailed over the top goal bar much to their new Spaniard coach Juan Manuel Lillo’s dismay.A similar action happened in the dying minutes for Umm Salal when substitute Atef Zaghbani’s shot went over.While Umm Salal had lost their opening match 0-1 to Al Ahli, reigning champions Al Sadd were done in 3-4 by Second Division champions Al Markhiya in the opening match of the new season.Al Markhiya hold Qatar SC 1-1In the other match of the evening played at the Education City Stadium, table toppers Al Markhiya held Qatar SC 1-1.While Badr Benoun put Qatar SC ahead in the 45+3’ through a penalty, Aymen Hussein fetched the equaliser for Al Markhiya in the 57th minute.Al Markhiya also suffered a red card shown to Ayoub Azzi in the final minutes of the match.Both sides collected a point each and the newly-promoted Al Markhiya currently top the points tally with 4 points to their credit. Al Wakrah, Al Arabi, Al Gharafa, Al Ahli and Al Shamal have three points each, while Al Sadd, Umm Salal and Qatar SC have a point each.
