Doha [Qatar], March 18: Al Arabi produced two late goals and in a span of six minutes to beat a 10-man Al Sadd 2-1 in a thrilling Week 19 clash of the 2025-2026 season Doha Bank Stars League at the Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday.
Pablo Sarabia (82nd minute) and Isaac Lihadji (88th minute) struck superbly for The Dream Team after Roberto Firmino (54th minute) had provided Al Sadd the lead.
Al Sadd slumped to a second successive defeat but still remain top with 38 points after other results went in their favour. Al Shamal missed the chance to cut the gap to one point following a 3-1 defeat to Al Duhail, while Al Gharafa can move within a point of the leaders if they beat Al Ahli on Wednesday.
Al Sadd were reduced to ten men late in the first half when Ahmed Suhail was sent off in the 41st minute for bringing down a charging Isaac Lihadji.
The opening half ended goalless, though both sides came close, with Pablo Sarabia striking the post early on and Akram Afif hitting the crossbar. Two efforts from Rafa Mujica were also ruled out for offside, including one after a VAR review in stoppage time.
The breakthrough came ten minutes into the second half when Firmino headed home Afif's free-kick. However, the numerical disadvantage eventually took its toll.
Al Arabi mounted a strong late push and turned the game around in the final ten minutes. Sarabia equalised before Lihadji struck the winner to seal all three points, lifting Al Arabi to 28 points and fifth place.
In another match, Al Duhail came from behind to defeat Al Shamal 3-1 at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. Al Shamal took the lead in the 40th minute through Baghdad Bounedjah after sustained early pressure. Al Duhail responded after the break, with Edmilson Junior equalizing in the 51st minute following a move involving Krzysztof Piatek.
The match was decided late on, as Adel Boulbina put Al Duhail ahead in the 90th minute before Piatek added a third in stoppage time to secure the win. The result lifts Al Duhail to 27 points, while Al Shamal remain second on 34.
At Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan rallied from a goal down to beat Al Wakrah 2-1. Yusuf Abdurisag gave Al Wakrah the lead in the 29th minute with a bicycle kick, but Al Rayyan responded strongly after the break. Gregore equalised in the 69th minute with a long-range strike, before Roger Guedes headed home the winner five minutes from time. Al Rayyan move to 31 points, while Al Wakrah stay on 23.
Meanwhile, Al Gharafa coach Pedro Martins stressed the importance of bouncing back when his side face Al Ahli. "The upcoming match will be difficult because Al Ahli are fighting to avoid relegation," Martins said, adding that his team remain determined to compete despite their recent loss to Qatar SC. "We still have many objectives to fight for. There is no room for surrender and we will compete for every title."
Al Gharafa player Amr Serag echoed his coach's sentiments, saying preparations have been marked by focus and determination. "The match is very important for us at this stage of the league. It will not be easy, but we need a win to stay in the title race and make our fans happy," he said.
Al Ahli coach Younes Ali underlined the importance of the clash for his side. "Securing a victory and the points is crucial given our position in the standings," he said.
"We will approach it like a final. There is no room for dropping points."
Wednesday's Fixtures
Al Gharafa vs Al Ahli at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium; Umm Salal vs Qatar SC at Khalifa International Stadium; Al Sailiya vs Al Shahania at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Source: Qatar Tribune
