Al Sadd football players appreciate health workers in unique way

Al Sadd football players appreciate health workers in unique way

To show their appreciation for the frontline medical staff who have worked tirelessly to keep us all safe and well in Qatar, Al Sadd lined up for their match against Al Khor in white doctor’s jackets .

Al Sadd helped by a brace from Qatar international Akram Afif defeated Al Khor 2-1 in Week 18 of the 2019-20 season QNB Stars League at the Al Sadd Stadium on Saturday, while in the second match leaders Duhail SC were held to one-all draw by Umm Salal.
Al Sadd, the reigning champions QSL moved to 35 points with their 11th victory. Afif, the 2019 AFC Player of the Year struck in the 25th and 45+2 minutes.
On the other hand, Al Khor, whose only goal was scored by Tiago Bezerra in the 27th minute, stood on 14 points following their 10th defeat.
Yet, Al Sadd’s chances of retaining the title are remote as they are eight points adrift of leaders Al Duhail.
Meanwhile, Al Khor still stare at relegation as only Al Shahania are behind them in the rankings.
Al Sadd had beaten Al Khor by an identical margin in their first-leg match.

Al Sadd enjoyed 59 per cent possession after both halves. The Wolves surged ahead as a result of the culmination of a move that originated from Baghdad Bounedjah. Akram was then fed through a backheeled pass by Abdulaziz Al Ansari and the former made no mistake in beating Al Khor goalkeeper Baba Djibril.
Al Khor struck back in no time as Tiago capitalised on a momentary lapse by the Al Sadd defenders in judging the flight of an oncoming through pass and the Brazilian found the target past goalkeeper Saad Al Dossari.
What turned out to be the winning goal was scored by Akram off a free-kick taken by Nam Tae-Hee as the first half drew to a close.
The match failed to produce any other goal despite the efforts by Al Sadd’s Pedro Miguel, Boualem Khoukhi, Nam and Bounedjah, and Al Khor’s Ahmed Hammoudan and Lucca Borges.
Al Sadd had Al Dossari to thank for as he saved a penalty kick taken by Tiago in the dying moments of the game (90+3), referee Hamad Al Subaie awarding it when Al Dossari brought down Tiago in the area.
At the Al Janoub Stadium, Al Duhail dropped two crucial points in their bid to win the league, which resumed after a long break forced by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
After a barren first half, Al Duhail opened the scoring through Almoez Ali in the 49th minute (penalty), a lead that was neutralised by Umm Salal through Ayyoub Azzi in the 52nd minute.
Al Duhail now have 43 points (13 wins, four draws and one defeat), while Umm Salal earned a lifeline in their bid to stay in the First Division. They have 15 points from three victories, six draws and nine defeats.
Al Duhail had beaten Umm Salal 1-0 in the first leg of 2019-20 QNB Stars League, so it was an improved performance by the latter who have improved under Moroccan Aziz Ben Askar, himself their former defender.
Al Duhail, coached by Ben Askar’s countryman Walid Regragui, dominated possession (60 per cent), but Umm Salal put up a spirited fight right throughout.
The closest Al Duhail came to scoring in the first half was in the 21st minute when Han Kwang-Song’s rising shot hit against the left upright after Umm Salal goalkeeper Baba Malick failed to get his hand on to the swerving ball.
Han then sent his shot over and Yousef Msakni had his shot deflected wide by the rival defence. At the other end, Umm Salal’s Walid Mesloub failed to find the target with his free-kick from the left.
Almoez took Al Duhail ahead not long after the resumption of play by converting a penalty, which was awarded when Abdulrahman Mohammed’s shot was handled by Umm Salal’s Omar Yahya.
Umm Salal soon drew parity as Ayoub Azzi headed in Mesloub’s corner from the left, beating the challenge of Sultan Al Breik.
Al Duhail’s Almoez headed over and Umm Salal’s Mahmoud Al Mawas’ placing shot was saved by goalkeeper Mohammed Al Bakri as both sides settled for a draw.