Al Duhail secured an important 1-0 victory over their closest rivals, Al Ahli, in Round 7 of the Ooredoo Stars League.
The match, which took place at Al Thumama Stadium, saw Al Duhail dominate the game and deservedly claim all three points. Michael Olunga’s first-half header proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Al Duhail Head Coach, Christophe Galtier, started the match with the following starting lineup:
(1) Salah Zakaria “Goalkeeper” – (3) Lucas Veríssimo – (5) Bassam Al Rawi – (8) Paulo Edmilson – (10) Luis Alberto – (11) Al Moez Ali – (14) Michael Olunga – (18) Sultan Al Brake – (19) Benjamin Bourigeaud – (22) Ibrahim Kader – (27) Ibrahima Diallo.
While on Al Duhail bench at the start of the match were:
(30) Bautista Burk “Goalkeeper” – (96) Amir Katoul “Goalkeeper” – (4) Mohamed Aish – (7) Ismail Mohamed – (20) Abdullah Al Ahrak – (23) Ahmed Al Sayed – (24) Humam Al Amin – (25) Mubarak Shanan – (29) Rashid Al Abdullah.
The ninth minute almost saw Al Duhail first goal after Olunga misjudged a cross that bypassed Al Ahli defenders, surprising Olunga who headed it weakly over the crossbar, marking the first appearance in the danger zone of Al Ahli goal.
In the 39th minute, Al Duhail had the most dangerous chance after Benjamin Bourigeaud received a pass from Al Moez Ali and then shot powerfully towards Al Ahli goal, but Al Ahli goalkeeper managed to clear the ball from his team net, wasting a chance for Al Duhail to take the lead.
In the 42nd minute of the first half, Al Duhail scored their first goal after Edmilson converted a wonderful cross from the right wing into the penalty area, which was headed into the net by the team top scorer, Michael Olunga, marking the first goal for Al Duhail in the match.
In the second minute of the added time at the end of the first half, Bassam Al Rawi had a powerful shot, but Al Ahli goalkeeper managed to control the ball, preventing Al Duhail from reaching his team net again before the end of the first half.
In the 56th minute, Al Duhail had another opportunity after a brilliant solo dribble by Edmilson, who shot powerfully towards Al Ahli goal, but Al Ahli goalkeeper again managed to save the ball and keep his net clean from Al Duhail second goal.
Then Edmilson returned to pose a threat to Al Ahli goal again in the 77th minute after his shot went past the left post of Al Ahli goal after ricochet one of Al Ahli defenders.
In the 78th minute, Al Ahli goalkeeper made another save for one of the most dangerous shots on his goal from Al Duhail player, Edmilson Junior.
The remaining minutes of the second half did not witness any new developments in the result of the match, and the referee, Abdulhadi Al Rouili, blew his whistle, announcing Al Duhail victory with three valuable points that strengthened the team lead in the Ooredoo Stars League.
The victory raised Al Duhail tally to 18 points, widening the gap between them and second-placed Al Ahli to 4 points at the end Round 7 fixturs..
Match Summary:
- Goal: Michael Olunga (42′)
- Yellow Cards: Lucas Veríssimo (74′), Edmilson Junior (81′), Ibrahima Diallo (90′), Al Moez Ali (93′)
- Substitutions: Ismail Mohamed on for Michael Olunga (79′), Humam Al Amin on for Sultan Al Brake (83′), Abdullah Al Ahrak on for Edmilson Junior (90′)
