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Al Sadd and Al Rayyan players battle for the ball at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil
- After their win over Umm Salal, Shamal are just two points behind Sadd and have a game in hand
Al Shamal boosted their chances of winning the Qatar Stars League title for the first time in their history with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Umm Salal at Al Bayt Stadium yesterday, while leaders Al Sadd were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Rayyan in the ‘Qatar Clasico.’
Al Shamal raised their points tally to 37, strengthening their hold on second place and narrowing the gap with Sadd to just two points after the leaders dropped points earlier in the evening. Shamal also have a postponed match from Round 17 against Qatar SC scheduled at Al Khor Stadium on April 13. Victory in that fixture would see them move to the top of the standings before crucial clashes against Al Shahaniya in Round 21 and Al Sadd in the final round of the season.
In contrast, Umm Salal remained stuck in the relegation zone, with their tally unchanged at 20 points in 10th place in the provisional standings, just three points ahead of bottom side Al Shahaniya.
Almoez Ali scored winner as Al Duhail secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Al Gharafa.
Al Shamal made a flying start as Omid Ebrahimi converted a penalty in the sixth minute after Omar Mohamed was fouled inside the area. Baghdad Bounedjah doubled the lead deep into first-half added time, giving Al Shamal a comfortable cushion heading into the break.
Alex Collado extended the advantage in the 59th minute, his deflected effort beating goalkeeper Rami Hamada following a precise pass from Bounedjah.
Umm Salal mounted a late comeback when Antonio Mance struck from long range in the 75th minute before Yamaan Jarrar added another eight minutes later, but Al Shamal held firm to secure a vital victory in the title race.
Earlier, Al Rayyan denied Al Sadd a crucial win after a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser secured a 1-1 draw at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
Al Shamal’s Baghdad Bounedjah (second left) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Umm Salal at Al Bayt Stadium yesterday.
Roberto Firmino had given Al Sadd the lead in the 27th minute after a fine move involving Akram Afif, with Paulo Otavio providing the assist. Al Sadd thought they had doubled their advantage in the 57th minute when
Pedro Miguel lobbed the ball into the net from an Afif pass, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
The Wolves continued to press, forcing Al Rayyan goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada into a series of fine saves, including two at the hour mark and another late in regulation time.
However, Al Rayyan snatched a point deep into stoppage time when Aleksandar Mitrovic capitalised on a Roger Guedes assist, firing between two defenders to beat the goalkeeper and spark celebrations among The Lions.
In a late match, Al Duhail secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Al Gharafa in a highly-entertaining clash at Khalifa International Stadium.
Almoez Ali scored the decisive goal in the first minute of added time to hand The Red Knights all three points and move them sixth place with 30 points, while Al Gharafa are third with 34 points.
Four goals were scored in an action-packed first half. Mubarak Shanan opened the scoring for Al Duhail in the 7th minute with a close-range rebound header. Al Gharafa equalised in the 26th minute through Aladin Hasan’s header from a Yacine Brahimi free-kick.
Edmilson Junior restored Al Duhail’s lead in the 37th minute with a powerful low drive, but Ferjani Sassi levelled for Al Gharafa just before half-time. The second half remained tightly contested until Ali’s late strike sealed the win for Al Duhail in a keenly fought battle.
