Doha [Qatar], February 1: Defending champions Al Sadd scored a comfortable 3-1 win over table toppers Al Gharafa in round 14 of 2025-26 season Doha Bank Stars League at the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium on Saturday to cut down the gap to two points.
Goals from Roberto Firmino (47th minute), Giovani Henrique (55th minute) and Akram Afif (90th +5 minute) helped propel The Wolves to 29 points in the standings, just behind Al Gharafa on 31 points.
After a goalless first half, Al Sadd who were recently crowned winners of the Qatar-UAE Super Cup's Super Shield following their thrilling 3-2 defeat of UAE's Shabab Al Ahli, set the ball rolling for what ended up as an exciting win for Italian coach Roberto Mancini's team.
Firmino latched on to a cross from Giovani that somehow managed to elude all of Al Gharafa's defenders to tap into a empty end. Al Sadd's second and third goals were both beautiful display of fine teamwork that were perfectly finished to make the race for title more interesting.
Al Gharafa's consolation goal came from Ayoub Al Oui, who pulled one back for The Cheetahs in the 65th minute with a powerful header from a cross by Amro Abdelfatah Surag.
Pedro brace in QSC win
Brazilian Joao Pedro scored a brace while Mohamed Emad Aiash scored one goal as Qatar SC prevailed over Al Ahli 3-1 in their 14 match at the Al Thumama Stadium.
Aiash opened the scoring for the Kings in the 16th minute before Joao Pedro struck in the 48th and 72nd minutes.
Aiash made a successful header after Al Ahli goalkeeper had blocked a first Niall Mason attempt following corner kick.
Pedro broke in into the striking zone first from the right, and later from the left to register his two goals.
Al Ahli's consolation goal came from Driss Fettouhi, who drilled home a long ranger in the 87th minute.
The win saw Qatar SC move up to 20 points whereas Al Ahli remained on 15 points.Pedro brace as QSC beat Al Ahli
Source: Qatar Tribune
