Tribune News Network
Doha
Al Shamal defeated reigning champions Al Sadd 2-1 while Al Duhail drubbed Qatar SC 6-1 in Week 1 matches of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League on Saturday.
At the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, striker former Al Sadd Baghdad Bounedjah was the star scoring two goals (31st minute) and (74th minute) for his new club, while Al Sadd’s lone goal came courtesy of an own goal from Colombian professional Jeison Murillo in the 89th minute.
Al Sadd’s captain Ali Asadalla nearly got his side the opening goal in the 26th minute after a goal-mouth melee, but his effort was deflected wide.
Former Al Sadd star striker and now Al Shamal’s captain, Bounedjah, came back to haunt his former club after finishing off a Younes Belhanda’s well-placed pass, following another defensive error from The Wolves, in the 31st minute, to give the coach Nuno Almeida’s side the lead.
As a mark of respect for his former club, the Algerian international’s celebration was muted, but that did not deter their teeming fans from bringing down the roof in joy for their marksman exploit.
In the 62nd minute, Al Sadd got a chance at redemption through new signing Rafa Mujicia, but the Spaniard’s effort, which went through the legs of goalkeeper Babacar Seck, was ruled offside.
Bounedjah turned up for his club again in the 74th minute after latching on to a precise pass from Murillo to fire home from the right hand side of Al Sadd’s 18-yard box as Al Shamal doubled their lead, much to the consternation of the defending champions fans.
Al Sadd got the deficit reduced in the 89th minute, howbeit through an own goal, as Murillo unwittingly directed his header from an Akram Afif cornerkick into his own net to the bewilderment of his teammates and fans.
Earlier at the Khalifa International Stadium, Al Duhail kick-started their campaign in fine style defeating Qatar SC 6-1.
Kenyan Michael Olunga scored a hat-trick for the Red Knights in the 41st, 44th and 90+6th minute of the match, while Ismail Mohamed got a brace scoring in the 69th and 82nd minutes, and Abdullah Al Ahrak found the back of the net in the 84th minute.
Al Duhail captain Almoez Ali was involved three of his team’s goals providing the assists.
For Qatar SC, their lone consolation goal was fetched by their Congolese professional Ben Malango in the 64th minute.