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

In an exciting start to the Qatar Stars League (QSL) season, Qatar SC achieved a surprising 3-2 victory over defending champions Al Sadd at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on March 15, 2024. This match marked Qatar SC’s first win of the season, showcasing their determination under the guidance of coach Marquez Lopez.

Qatar SC began the match with impressive energy, almost opening the scoring with a powerful header from Joao Pedro in the 15th minute. However, Al Sadd goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham displayed remarkable reflexes to keep the ball out. The breakthrough for Qatar SC came in the 36th minute when Ali Saoud managed to evade his marker and head in a corner, giving his team a deserved lead.

Al Sadd rallied, showing urgency to respond. Players like Giovani and Guilherme Torres came close to scoring, with Akram Afif narrowly missing a chance after a brilliant run by Torres. As the first half ended, Al Sadd found themselves trailing.

Second Half Drama and a Debut

The second half saw Al Sadd intensify their efforts. Giovani rattled the crossbar early on, and their persistence paid off in the 57th minute. After a corner kick, Claudinho‘s shot was blocked, but Torres capitalized on the rebound to equalize. Initially ruled offside, the goal was confirmed following a VAR review.

In a much-anticipated moment, former Liverpool star Roberto Firmino made his debut for Al Sadd in the 73rd minute, receiving a warm welcome from the home crowd. Just moments later, Qatar SC responded decisively. Said Mohammed headed home from a precise cross by Faiz Selemani, restoring their lead. Six minutes later, Joao Pedro fired a low shot from outside the box into the bottom corner, extending Qatar SC’s advantage to 3-1.

Al Sadd managed to pull one back in the 84th minute when Claudinho found the net with a header from a superb cross delivered by Paulo Silva. Despite mounting late pressure, including a lengthy 11 minutes of stoppage time, Qatar SC held firm to secure a thrilling victory, marking a successful start to their campaign.

Looking ahead, Al Sadd will seek to bounce back against Al Ahli on March 21, 2024, while Qatar SC will face Al Sailiya on the same day.

Al Duhail Held to Draw by Al Shahania

In another match, Al Duhail struggled to convert their dominance into a win, settling for a 1-1 draw against Al Shahania. This match took place at Khalifa International Stadium, where Al Duhail had recently achieved a 3-2 victory against Sepahan SC in the AFC Champions League.

Despite controlling possession, Al Duhail found it difficult to capitalize on their chances. Al Shahania struck first in the 24th minute, with Pelle van Amersfoort scoring after a clever assist from Moameen Mutasem Ragab. Al Duhail looked to equalize when Ibrahima Bamba thought he had scored in the 37th minute, but his goal was ruled out for offside.

Captain Karim Boudiaf finally brought Al Duhail level in the 52nd minute, heading in a free-kick from Bourigeaud Benjamin into the right corner. Despite ongoing pressure, Al Duhail could not find a winner, and Al Shahania’s defense stood strong, securing a valuable point against last season’s runners-up.

Next, Al Duhail will take on Al Wakrah, while Al Shahania faces Umm Salal, both matches scheduled for March 23, 2024. The season is shaping up to be competitive as teams vie for early points in the league.