Amersfoort clever lob helps Shahania stun Sadd

Al Shahania stunned defending champions Al Sadd 1-0 to secure their first win in the Qatar Stars League at the Al Bayt Stadium Friday.

Shahania’s successful strike came in the 23rd minute, with Pelle van Amersfoort scoring intelligently after being in a one-on-one situation with Al Sadd’s Pedro Miguel in front of the goal. The Dutch player chose to lob the ball which went on to hit the top right post before going into the net.

A sizzling second half had Al Sadd launching several robust attacks but in vain including a 56th minute Pau Prim powerful strike from outside the box which hit the crossbar.

Goalkeeper Shehab Ellethy excelled under the bar for Al Shahania. Among his many saves was a standout in the 28nd minute when he leapt high to punch away a strong Youcef Atal shot.

The result took Shahania’s tally to four points while displaying their strong defence which foiled many Al Sadd attempts to equalise, especially in the second half. Al Sadd suffered a second loss in the league and their tally remained on six points.

Piatek hat-trick powers Duhail to victory

Polish striker Krzysztof Piatek scored a hat-trick as Al Duhail notched their first win, prevailing 4-2 over Umm Salal at the Khalifa International Stadium.

Umm Salal led 2-1 at half-time, but Al Duhail hit back with three goals in the second session. The result took Al Duhail to four points, while Umm Salal’s tally remained on three.

The fast-paced game saw its first big thrill in the 27th minute with Umm Salal’s Oussama Tannane essaying a brilliant free kick from 10 yards outside the box and which swung left and dipped into the net.

Al Duhail hit back three minutes later with Luis Alberto slotting in a cross from Adil Boulbina. Umm Salal struck back (34th minute) with Cristo Perez striking on a second attempt after Tannane provided the cross after initiating a quick move off a throw in.

Piatek scored in the 61st minute as he chested a Marco Verratti pass before putting the ball into the goal. Minutes later, Umm Salal’s Kouassi fouled Mobarak Shanan inside the box incurring a penalty. Piatek scored from the spot (65th minute).

In the added time (90+9 minute), Mobarak was felled by Umm Salal’s Nasser Al Ahrak and a penalty was given following VAR check. Piatek stepped up and scored completing his hat-trick.

Brahimi stars as Gharafa beat Sailiya

Al Gharafa defeated Al Sailiya 2-0 at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. The win took The Cheetahs’ tally to nine points, while Al Sailiya are yet to open their account.

Al Gharafa’s Algerian star Yacine Brahimi was instrumental in both of his team’s goals, while Tunisian Ferjani Sassi scored one and assisted Brahimi in the other.

The first half ended goalless, but Al Gharafa struck soon in the second (53rd minute), with Sassi making a fine header to a swinging corner kick of Brahimi from the right.

Brahimi himself fetched the second goal in stoppage time (90+2 minute) as he weaved past defenders to strike from about five yards outside the box and past a diving goalkeeper into the left corner. Brahimi was named player of the match.