Tribune News Network
Doha
Al Duhail defeated Qatar SC 3-1 in Week 17 of the 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League at the Al Duhail Stadium on Saturday.
Al Duhail (39 points) thus reclaimed top position in the table from Al Arabi (37 points). Qatar SC remained on 26 points.
The Red Knights battled hard before finding rhythm to overcome Qatar SC’s strong challenge in front of a large number of fans.
Michael Olunga (10th and 79th minutes) and Khaled Mohammed (90th minute) scored the goals for Al Duhail.
Qatar SC’s lone success came in the dying moments of the match through Badr Benoun (90+8 minute penalty).
Al Duhail’s Luiz Martin Junior was shown the red card in 90+4 minute.
In the process, Olunga moved to the top of scorers’ list with 13 goals, ahead of Jacinto Dala of Al Wakrah on 12 goals.
While Al Duhail’s opening goal came with relative ease as Olunga drove home a fine Ferjani Sassi assist, Qatar SC defended hard through the remainder of the opening half.
But Olunga returned again to strike late in the second half, this time with a left-footer picking up on a long ball from Federico Fernandez.
Towards the end, both teams produced more exciting play. In the 81st minute Omar Al Emadi of Qatar SC succeeded in scoring, but was ruled offside and the VAR confirmed that he was marginally out of the line.
Al Duhail then seized on a defensive lapse of their rivals to make a fine move and Under-20 player Suhaib Gannan provided a fine cross with a flick from near the goalline for Khaled to score.
Qatar SC in the end benefitted from Almoez Ali’s handball offence while trying to defend in front of the goal and Benoun scored off the resultant penalty.
In the other games of the day, Al Rayyan rallied to beat Al Markhiya 3-2 while Al Wakrah defeated Al Ahli 5-2.
Sofiane Boufal (37th minute penalty) and Jason Vargas (42nd and 87th minutes) scored for Al Rayyan. Ayoub Assal (fourth minute) and Jose Correia (77th minute) were Al Markhiya’s scorers.
Al Wakrah returned to winning ways, prevailing 5-2 over Al Ahli.The Blue Wave showed their intent and form right from the word go, with Mohamed Benyettou (19th-minute penalty), Khaled Munir (38th minute), Jacinto Dala (40th and 90th minutes) and Yousef Abdurisag (49th minute) getting the five goals for them.
Al Dokali Al Sayed helped Al Ahli pulled back two goals, striking in the 33th and 64th minutes.
The win also saw Al Wakrah inch their way into 27 points from 17 games, while Al Ahli stayed on 21 points from 17 matches.
