FROM LEFT: Al Sadd's Roberto Firmino, Hashem Ali and Akram Afif celebrate a goal.
Doha, Qatar: Roberto Firmino and Akram Afif scored braces as Al Sadd maintained their perfect start to the Qatar Stars League with a 6-3 win over Al Sailiya at Lusail Stadium yesterday.
The defending champions’ fourth straight victory took them to 12 points, four clear of Al Shamal, who drew 1-1 with Al Wakrah. Al Rayyan, who face Al Ahli at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium today, are five points behind the leaders.
Afif opened the scoring in the 19th minute, chipping the ball into the centre of the net from a precise Paulo Otavio pass. Al Sailiya, seeking their first points of the season, responded through Ali Iyad Olwan, who levelled in the 35th minute with a solo effort. Hashem Ali restored Al Sadd’s lead before half-time, and Firmino extended it with a penalty in the 50th minute after Kellian Albertus fouled Pedro Miguel.
Ahmed Doozandeh pulled one back eight minutes later, but goals from Firmino and Afif in the 62nd and 75th minutes put Al Sadd in control.
Mostafa Mashaal added another in the fifth minute of stoppage time before Al Sailiya’s Olwan scored again in the dying moments.
“I am happy with the win and the results the team is achieving with the start of the league. We strive to continue working to achieve the best,” said Otavio after the win.
Al Sailiya are now on a four-match losing streak.
Al Shamal, Al Wakrah play out draw
At Al Bayt Stadium, Al Wakrah produced an improved performance following their 4-0 rout by debutants Lusail to secure a point against Al Shamal.
Pablo Mari put Al Shamal ahead in the 26th minute with a precise header, but Aissa Laidouni rescued a draw for the Blue Wave in the first minute of stoppage time before the interval.
Al Shamal started at a good pace, with Wesley Said denied by Mohammed Al-Bakri early in the match. After Mari’s header opened the scoring, Laidouni pounced on a rebound after Al Shamal goalkeeper Babacar Seck stopped Ayoub Assal’s shot. The second half saw several exchanges, with Baghdad Bounedjah’s fine header just missing the post in stoppage time.
The match ended on a sour note for Al Shamal when referee Mohammed Ahmed Al-Shammari showed Bounedjah a red card for a heated argument after the final whistle.
Lusail aim to build on historic win
Today, Lusail will look to build on their historic first QSL victory when they face Al Gharafa at Khalifa International Stadium.
Lusail moved to four points from three matches after thrashing Al Wakrah. Coach Emanuel Mesquita knows his side face a tougher test against Al Gharafa, who have collected three points so far and will be eager to return to winning ways under Pedro Martins.
“It has been a very positive week, the players are highly focused and enthusiastic, so we are ready for the upcoming challenge,” said Mesquita.
“The match will be difficult and we must be at our best.”
Martins said Al Gharafa must maintain their focus against a Lusail side that has made an impressive start to their debut season.
