Tribune News Network
Doha
Al Duhail claimed their maiden Ooredoo Cup title with a delightful 1-0 win over Umm Salal in the final played at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday.
The Red Knights crowned themselves with glory of their first tournament triumph of the year in front of their fans on a fine late evening.
Al Duhail’s win was realized through their South Korean star Nam Tae-hee’s goal which came in the 37th minute of the thrilling clash.
The goal was however ‘surprising’ as it was more of an intended pass which beat all to go through and much to the rivals’ shock. It came off Tae-hee’s left foot and from a good ten yards outside of the box from the right and went diagonally to hit the left post and into the net as a bamboozled Umm Salal goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar watched in dismay.
Al Duhail came dangerously close to doubling their lead later on a number of occasions but the Umm Salal defence remained agile and forceful.
Another of Tae-hee’s big chance was in the 63rd minute when his kick ricocheted off an onrushing rival goalkeeper and he had a clear chance from outside the box but the threatening kick was cut off by a rival defender in time.
The match gathered more momentum towards the middle of the second half and produced more exciting action with both sides almost close to scoring.
In the 70th minute, Al Duhail’s Portuguese player Ruben Semedo’s big strike, off a rebound, was saved by Umm Salal skipper Adil Rhaili right at the goalmouth.
A minute later, Tae-Hee’s menacing kick was well blocked off by Umm Salal’s substitute goalkeeper Samy Beldi, who was introduced in the second half of the match.
In the 80th minute, Umm Salal’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Araujo’s strike from in front of the goal was staved off by the Duhail custodian.
Goalkeeper Beldi again stood guard for Umm Salal when in the 88th minute he jumped high to keep out Al Duhail substitute Khaled Mohamed’s long range strike.
Earlier in the opening half, Umm Salal had come close to scoring in the 19th minute when their Jordanian midfielder Yassin Bakhit beat two defenders to strike but an alert Al Duhail goalkeeper Shehab Ellethy staved off the threat.
