Al Sadd start with a bang!
The club's campaign got off to a roaring start when they defeated last season's Emir's Cup winners and arch-rivals Al Rayyan 1-0 in front of packed audiences and FIFA’s inspectors for the Qatar 2022 Bid.
The game lived up to expectations as Qatar’s derby-event. Both teams employed an open-ended and heavily attacking style of football. Keita, always dangerous, did not disappoint his new employers. Although he missed some opportunities early on, he made no mistakes in heading in the ball just before the end of first half. Although it looked like an off-side, and Al Rayyan players protested, the referee let it stand.
Al Rayyan players too offered glimpses of their attacking depth. They are a formidable side and along with holder Al Gharafa and Umm Salal will make the Qatar Stars League much more exciting than in previous seasons.
Qatar Stars League newcomers Lakhwiya left fans stunned with a clinical 4-0 dismantling of minnows Al Sailiya. The club has invested heavily in local and overseas players. Striker Mohammed Razzaq scored all four goals (56th, 59th, 62nd and 89th). Al Saililiya looked tough nuts to crack in the first half, but were rendered useless in the second. They seemed to have given up after conceding the first goal.
AFC Champions League semifinalists Umm Salal conceded a late goal and drew 2-2 with Al Arabi. Earlier, they had come back strongly from a goal down to take a 2-1 lead. Al Arabi went ahead through Everaldo Pereira but Umm Salal hit back through Davi Jose and Gabri Garcia. Argentinian Leonardo Pisulichi equalised for Al Arabi.
Qatar international Sebastian Soria scored twice to help Qatar SC win 3-2 against lowly Al Kharaitiyat. Soria put his side ahead in the 10th but Al Kharaitiyat equalised soon through Yahia Kiepi. He scored again three minutes later, against the run of play, to put his team 2-1 ahead. Soria, who displayed erratic form, equalised for his side in the 55th. Brazilian Marcio Oliveira ended the game in Qatar SC’s favour with a solid strike in the 81st.
In the last game of the first week, Al Khor drew Al Wakra goalless.
RESULTS
Al Sadd 1 Al Rayyan 0
Al Arabi 2 Umm Salal 2
Lakhwiya 4 Al Sailiya 0
Qatar SC 3 Al Kharaitiyat 2
Al Wakra 0 Al Khor 0
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