Al Rayyan's Roger Guedes (foreground) in action during match against Al Wakrah.
DOHA: Ahmed Alaaeldin struck in the 90th minute as Al Rayyan made it two wins from two in the Qatar Stars League season, edging Al Wakrah 2-1 at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium yesterday.
Roger Guedes put Al Rayyan ahead before half-time, producing a diving header from a close range to meet Gabriel Pereira’s lob. Guedes was the QSL’s leading scorer last season.
Al Wakrah goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Bakri kept his side in the game with a save from Pereira, before the Blue Wave levelled through Amin Zahzouh in 73rd minute following a costly error by Mahmoud Abunada.
The Al Rayyan goalkeeper came off his line to collect a ball but his under-hit fell to Zahzouh, who lobbed the ball over him to level the match.
With the game heading for a draw, Alaaeldin had the final say, wrong-footing the goalkeeper after meeting Daoud Soliman’s cross.
At Khalifa International Stadium, Al Shamal came from behind to beat Al Gharafa 3-1 and register their first win of the season.
Wesley Alain Said missed an early chance for Al Shamal, firing wide with space in front of him. Al Gharafa goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar then denied Musaab Khidir as the first half ended goalless. Al Gharafa went ahead in the 52nd minute when Fabricio Diaz fired into the top-left corner from outside the box. Amro Surag set up Diaz after Babacar Seck had denied Yacine Brahimi.
Al Shamal hit back four minutes later through substitute Omar Mohamed, while Diaz then struck the crossbar with another long-range effort.
The comeback was completed in stoppage time. Ali Asad tapped in Omar’s assist in the 90+1st minute before Baghdad Bounedjah sealed the victory with a long-range lob after Seck had left his goal open.
“I am extremely proud of the team, not only because of the result but also because of the fighting spirit we showed. We came from a goal down to earn a valuable and well-deserved win,” Al Shamal coach David Prats said after the win.
“I am very happy, but now we have to remain humble because another very difficult match is coming in a few days. Today’s victory is a great motivation for us to keep working hard.”
Bounedjah, who came on in the 66th minute, had earlier missed a good chance.
Today, Qatar SC face defending champions Al Sadd at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium at 7:30pm. Qatar SC opened with a 2-2 draw against Al Wakrah, while Al Sadd began their title defence with a 3-1 win over Al Ahli.
Earlier, Al Ahli meet Lusail at Al Thumama Stadium at 5:15pm. Both are seeking their first win after difficult starts, with Al Ahli banking on their experienced players and Lusail aiming to build on their competitive display against Al Rayyan.
