Al Duhail retain OSL lead as Al Sadd stay in close pursuit

Doha, Qatar: Al Duhail secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Al Gharafa to retain their narrow one-point lead in the Ooredoo Stars League (OSL), while defending champions Al Sadd triumphed 3-0 over Al Wakrah to stay within striking distance of the leaders.

Qatar striker Almoez Ali returned to his goal-scoring form, giving Al Duhail the lead in the 15th minute with a precise low shot into the bottom left corner, set up by Hakim Ziyech at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium.

Ziyech, the playmaker, was involved again in the 66th minute, delivering a perfect assist to Kenyan striker Michael Olunga, who missed a golden opportunity to double the lead.

However, substitute Ismail Mohamad sealed the win with three minutes remaining, connecting with a cross from Homam Al Amin on the left.

The victory propelled Al Duhail to 44 points, while third-placed Al Gharafa, who failed to register a single shot on target throughout the match, remain on 37 points.

Al Duhail are fully aware that there is no room for error, especially with Al Sadd continuing to chase closely behind with 43 points.

With only three matches left in the season, Al Duhail will face Al Shamal in their next match, while Al Sadd will take on Al Rayyan.

In their own dominating performance, Qatar star Akram Afif was the hero for Al Sadd, converting two penalties in the 72nd and 86th minutes, before Youcef Atal added a third in the 10th minute of stoppage time at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.

Al Wakrah, now with 21 points, slipped to 10th place following the defeat.

Meanwhile, at Al Thumama Stadium, Erik Exposito’s decisive strike in the 53rd minute proved to be the difference as Al Ahli defeated Al Rayyan. The latter also received a blow as Julian De Sart was sent off in the 72nd minute.  The victory allowed Al Ahli to consolidate their fourth-place position with 32 points, five clear of Al Rayyan, who remain in fifth in the standings.

Elsewhere, Qatar SC and Al Arabi played out a goalless draw at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium. The single point saw Al Arabi rise to seventh place with 23 points, while Qatar SC moved to ninth with 22 points.

OSL Results

Yesterday’s Matches 
Al Ahli 1-0 Al Rayyan 
Qatar SC 0-0 Al Arabi 
Al Gharafa 0-2 Al Duhail 
Al Sadd 3-0 Al Wakrah

On Friday
Al Khor 3-0 Umm Salal
Al Shamal 3-0 Al Shahania