Qatar SC Stuns Al Sadd 3-2 in Thrilling QSL Opener

In a stunning opening match of the Qatar Stars League (QSL), Qatar SC triumphed over defending champions Al Sadd with a score of 3-2 at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on March 14, 2024. This unexpected victory marked a significant start for Qatar SC, who finished in tenth place last season.

Match Highlights and Key Performances

Under the guidance of coach Marquez Lopez, Qatar SC displayed an impressive performance from the beginning. Joao Pedro nearly put them ahead with a powerful header in the 15th minute, but Al Sadd’s goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham made a remarkable save to keep the score level.

The breakthrough arrived in the 36th minute when Ali Saoud evaded his defender to head in a corner, sending the ball into the far corner of the net. This goal gave Qatar SC a deserved lead as they capitalized on their early momentum.

Al Sadd responded with urgency, with Giovani and Guilherme Torres both coming close to scoring. Akram Afif missed a golden opportunity after a strong run by Torres, leaving Al Sadd trailing at halftime.

Following the break, Giovani struck the crossbar before Al Sadd equalized in the 57th minute. After a corner kick, Claudinho’s shot was blocked, but Torres capitalized on the rebound, leveling the score. Initially ruled offside, the goal was confirmed after a VAR review.

The match took another turn when Roberto Firmino, the former Liverpool star, made his much-anticipated debut in the 73rd minute, receiving a warm welcome from the home fans. Just moments later, Qatar SC regained the lead when Said Mohammed headed in a precise cross from Faiz Selemani.

In quick succession, Joao Pedro scored again, striking a low shot from outside the box into the bottom corner, extending Qatar SC’s lead to 3-1. Al Sadd managed to pull one back in the 84th minute when Claudinho headed in a cross from Paulo Silva, but despite intense late pressure, Qatar SC held firm to secure a memorable victory.

Al Duhail Held by Al Shahania in Opening Draw

In another match, Al Duhail, fresh off a 3-2 victory over Sepahan SC in the AFC Champions League preliminaries, faced a challenging encounter against Al Shahania, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Despite dominating possession at Khalifa International Stadium, Al Duhail struggled to convert opportunities into goals.

Al Shahania took the lead in the 24th minute with a goal from Pelle van Amersfoort, who finished confidently after a clever assist from Moameen Mutasem Ragab. Al Duhail thought they had equalized in the 37th minute when Ibrahima Bamba scored, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Al Duhail’s Adil Boulbina also missed a crucial chance before halftime.

Al Duhail finally found the back of the net in the 52nd minute when captain Karim Boudiaf headed in a free-kick delivered by Bourigeaud Benjamin. Despite relentless pressure for the remainder of the match, Al Duhail could not secure a winning goal, and Al Shahania celebrated a valuable point.

Looking ahead, Al Duhail will face Al Wakrah, while Al Shahania will take on Umm Salal, with both matches scheduled for March 23, 2024.