A fine performance by new Algerian summer signing Jugurtha Hamroun and Baghdad Bounedjah ensured an unbeaten start for Al Sadd as Wolves beat Al Ahli 2-1 at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium yesterday.
Sadd had beaten Al Kharaitiyat 4-0 in their opening match, while Al Ahli had picked up a stunning 4-2 win over Al Gharafa in the season-opening match last Thursday.
Yesterday, the match started slowly with neither team taking charge and creating any clear chances. In front of home fans, Al Sadd soon settled into a rhythm and the Wolves’ superstar skipper Xavi Hernandez and Hamroun began controlling the centre of the field.
Al Sadd were gifted a penalty after 20 minutes following some clumsy defending from Al Ahli’s Fred Dabanka, who bundled down Bounedjah in the box. Hassan al-Haydoos converted from the spot, and although Al Ahli’s goalkeeper guessed the right way, the power from Al Sadd’s number 10 was too much and the home team took a 1-0 lead.
Al Ahli didn’t let their heads drop after going behind and nearly scored the equaliser just minutes after the match resumed when Ndombe Mubele went on a zipping run into the box from the touchline, darting towards the Al Sadd box and driving a shot towards the near post. He was, however, denied by the woodwork.
Ahli continued to look for an equaliser in the second half and were duly awarded a free kick 25 yards out as the game approached the 50 minute mark. Former Iranian international Mojtaba Jabbari hit the free kick which initially drew cheers from the stands after it appeared to go in, only for fans to realise it hit the side netting just split seconds later.
Al Sadd made it two after 66 minutes when Hamroun again justified his summer transfer by setting up teammate Bounedjah for his fourth goal of the season. Hamroun nearly made it three just minutes later after taking on the Al Ahli defence on a fine solo run. His low shot from 22 yards out was straight at Al Ahli’s keeper though.
Al Ahli continued to create chances and on the 76th minute Mubele threw The Brigadiers a lifeline and got the goal he deserved after his fine header off a free kick just outside the box beat Al Sadd’s goalkeeper at his near post.
The game was finely balanced in terms of possession for the remaining 15 minutes but while Al Sadd couldn’t find a third to firmly see the tie off, Al Ahli couldn’t find the equaliser too.
In the first match of the day, Al Rayyan and Umm Salal played out a goalless draw.
In their first game of the QSL season, Rayyan had beaten Al Shahania 3-0, while Umm Salal downed Al Khor 2-1.
Yesterday, however, in a closely fought game, neither could find the net and had to share the points.