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Wolves down Al Duhail 4-2
IKOLI VICTOR
Doha
Baghdad Bounedjah scored a spectacular hat-trick as Emir Cup champions Al Sadd thrashed Al Duhail 4-2 to lift the Sheikh Jassim Cup for the 14th time at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Saturday.
The winning trophy was presented to Xavi Hernandez by QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al Thani in front of a packed crowd.
Bounedjah struck in the 5th, 20th and 66th minute while Hamroun Jugurtha converted a penalty in the 70th minute for the champions.
Last season's QFA Player of the Year Nam Tae-hee scored Al Duhail's first goal in the 41st minute before substitute Almoez Ali cut the deficit in added time.
Algerian Bounedjah, who was the joint-top scorer last season in the league, opened his goals account early and scored his second not much later with Spanish legend Xavi Hernandez proving the assist.
The former Barcelona captain was also at hand to provide his second assist to Bounedjah to complete his hat-trick. He was on course for a fourth goal but was fouled inside the box and the resultant kick was converted by his countryman Hamroun.
The match began with the league champions dominating the early exchanges and first genuine chance fell to Muhammed Musa in the 3rd minute when he fired a low shot that almost rattled goalkeeper Saad Abdulla.
But it was Bounedjah who scored first when Hamroun's perfect pass found him inside the box to finish calmly.
Hamroun had dispossessed Alrawi Husham Bassam from the centre of the field to find his compatriot.
Hamroun, who was instrumental in the team's success in the Qatar Stars Cup and Emir Cup last season, almost doubled the Wolves' lead in the 12th minute but his canon shot was parried away by Baba Khalifa.
Youssef Msakni, wearing the captain's armband for the Red Knights, played a delightful ball for Ismael Mohammed but the winger's intended cross for striker Youssef El Arabi was cleared by defender Fahad Ali.
Al Duhail conceded their second goal after Bounedjah slotted the ball past the tall frame of Khalifa from a Xavi Hernandez pass. From then on it was Al Sadd looking dangerous going forward. Ten minutes before the break, Bounedjah was denied his hat-trick as he fired a low shot that Khalifa managed to save.
Nam Tae-hee reduced the deficit with powerful shot from inside the box to beat goalkeeper Abdulla in the 41st minute to give Al Duhail some respite going into the break.
Al Duhail looked much sharper than they had in the first half and came close to leveling the tie in the opening minute on resumption when Ismail in a good position blazed the ball wide from Msekni's cross.
Luiz Martin replaced defender Husham and the midfielder had his chance too but shot wide.
Bounedjah completed his hat-trick in the 66th minute with a delightful finish from a pinpoint pass from Xavi. The striker waited for the Spaniard's through ball before racing past two opposing players to slice the ball past a hapless Khalifa.
Things got worse for Al Duhail as they conceded a penalty in the 79th minute when Bounedjah was hacked down inside the box by Mohammed Musa; the resultant spot kick was converted by Hamroun.
There was still time for Almoez Ali to score a goal in added time as Al Sadd won 4-2 to lift the Sheikh Jassim Cup.
The trophy is the third title won by Al Sadd Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira since his arrival in 2015.
Al Sadd open their QNB Stars League 2017-18 campaign against Al Markhiya next Saturday while Al Duhail host Qatar Sports Club next Friday.
Scoreline
Al Sadd 4 (Baghdad Bounedjah 5’, 20’, 66’; Hamroun Jugurtha 70’) bt Al Duhail 2 (Nam Tae-hee 41’, Abdulla Almoez 90’).
