QSL
Al Duhail defeated Al Sailiya 2-0 in Week 19 of the 2020-21 season QNB Stars League at the Al Ahli Stadium on Thursday.
Michael Olunga converted a penalty in the 20th minute before Paulo Edmilson Junior added a second goal in the 51st minute as Al Duhail avenged their 1-2 loss to Al Sailiya in the first leg.
Al Duhail, now on 40 points, consolidated their second position following their 13th victory, with Al Sadd already sealing the title with 50 points in Week 18 after taking an unassailable lead over other competitors.
Al Sailiya remained on 23 points after suffering their eighth defeat.
The Red Knights started in a dominant fashion, but they were unable to pose real threat to Al Sailiya, who showed solid defending in the first 15 minutes.
Sultan Al Breik then won a penalty when his chip struck Mustafa Mohammed's left hand inside the box. Olunga scored the opener with a clean left-footed strike from the penalty spot, with goalkeeper Claude Amine diving in the opposite direction.
Two minutes later, the Kenyan striker was shown a yellow card for his foul against the goalkeeper, while attempting to score his second goal.
After Edmilson missed an opportunity, Al Sailiya created a golden chance on the half-hour mark, but Mohanad Ali failed to connect a lob from a good position.
Five minutes before the break, Al Duhail’s Ismail Mohammed had to be treated after a collision with Ahmed Al Minhali.
Al Sailiya made a couple of attacks before the break, but were unable to find an equaliser.
Al Duhail struck the second blow on their opponents, with Edmilson scoring off an assist from Karim Boudiaf. Almoez Ali, who came off the bench in the second half, initiated the attack.
The Red Knights kept Al Sailiya under pressure by creating more opportunities.
Mohammed Muntari, who replaced Olunga in the 62nd minute, fired an angular shot, but Amine did well to punch the ball away. Almoez’s hit eight minutes before time was also well blocked by Al Sailiya keeper.
Al Duhail goalkeeper Salah Zakaria made flying saves off two free-kicks deep into the match to keep a clean sheet.