QSL
Al Sadd beat Qatar SC 2-0 in a postponed match from Week 8 of the 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League at the Al Sadd Stadium on Saturday.
The reigning champions made most of the match on hand, striking a goal in each half. Hassan Al Haydous (45+4 minute) and Akram Afif (52nd minute) scored for the winners.
Qatar SC were laid low by the two red cards they received. While midfielder Omar Al Emadi was red-carded by the referee for back-tackling Pedro Miguel of Al Sadd in the 50th minute of the match, Qatar SC defender Badr Benoun was given the marching orders in the 65th minute for fouling an on-charge Akram Afif. It was the second yellow for Benoun that turned into an automatic red.
The win saw Al Sadd move on to 25 points from 14 matches.
Qatar SC remained on 23 points from 14 games.
Qatar SC, who had begun enthusiastically, were pushed back further and could not match up to the attacking play of Al Sadd, who on their part kept the rivals on the defensive for most part of the match.
Al Sadd had also come close to scoring in the 30th minute of the match when captain Al Haydos struck from a tight angle from the right, but unfortunately for him his kick just went wide of the goal on the far side.
Al Haydous soon made amends in the added time of opening half with a delightful free-kick strike which went over the ‘wall’ and over the jumping players to dip in on the right and also beat a diving Qatar SC goalkeeper Sataa Al Abbasi.
Al Sadd then returned from the break with more momentum and more joy was provided for their fans by mercurial forward Akram Afif. Collecting a pass on the right, Afif moved in menacingly to cut past two defenders and send in a rasping shot into the far corner of the net.
The win saw Al Sadd compensate for their 1-2 loss to Al Ahli in the last round (Week 15).
Qatar SC had a 1-1 tie against Al Sailiya in Week 15.