Al Sadd edged past Al Duhail in a thrilling top-of-the-table clash, closing the gap in the fiercely contested title race of the 2024/2025 Qatar Stars League. Despite a spirited fight from Kenya’s Michael Olunga and his Al Duhail teammates, the reigning champions secured a crucial 2-0 victory in the heavyweight Week 16 encounter at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
Al Duhail, the league leaders, entered the match with 35 points, just ahead of second-placed Al Sadd, who had 31 points, making this contest a pivotal one in the battle for the title. With the win, Al Sadd moved within touching distance of their rivals, now trailing by just one point with 34.
The match kicked off with high energy, as Al Duhail signaled their attacking intent early on. In the 11th minute, Olunga came close to putting his side ahead with a powerful right-footed shot from outside the box, following a clever pass from Almoez Ali. The shot was precise but narrowly missed the top right corner, leaving the Al Sadd fans breathing a sigh of relief.
Despite Al Duhail’s early dominance, Al Sadd held their ground defensively, ensuring their opponents had limited clear-cut opportunities in the first half. Al Sadd nearly took the lead in the 29th minute when Akram Afif found space inside the box and fired at goal, but Al Duhail’s goalkeeper Salah Zakaria expertly parried the shot away.
The first half ended goalless, setting the stage for an intriguing second period as both teams sought to break the deadlock.
The first major talking point of the second half came in the 49th minute when Paulo Otavio thought he had put Al Sadd ahead with a well-taken left-footed shot from inside the box. However, after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was ruled out, much to the frustration of the home fans.
Drama continued three minutes later as Al Duhail were reduced to 10 men following Ibrahima Bamba’s red card for violent conduct. The numerical disadvantage forced Al Duhail to adopt a more defensive approach, with coach Christophe Galtier making a surprising tactical move by substituting key striker Olunga for defender Hakim Ziyech in the 69th minute.
Just as Al Duhail were settling into their new shape, Al Sadd struck. In the 70th minute, Mostafa Mashaal broke the deadlock with a well-timed one-touch finish after receiving a precise pass from Boualem Khoukhi. The goal sent the home fans into raptures, as Al Sadd took control of the match.
Al Sadd continued to press their advantage, forcing Al Duhail to retreat deeper into their own half. Despite their best efforts to defend, Al Duhail could not cope with the sustained pressure. In the 95th minute, Rafa Mujica delivered the final blow, finishing off a well-placed assist from Hassan Al Haydous to make it 2-0.
The result handed Al Sadd a massive victory, bringing them within one point of Al Duhail at the top of the standings. This win was significant not only in terms of the points but also in terms of momentum as the league title race heats up. The match showcased the resilience of Al Sadd, who capitalized on their numerical advantage and defensive solidity to secure the three points, leaving Al Duhail to reflect on missed opportunities and a costly red card. The title race promises to be one of the most competitive in recent years, with both teams now within a point of each other, setting the stage for an exciting final stretch of the season.
