Defending champions Al Sadd and Al Duhail began their Qatar Stars League campaigns in winning fashion on Saturday. Sadd beat Al Ahli 3-1 at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, while Duhail defeated Al Sailiya 2-0 at Al Bayt Stadium.
Al Sadd produced a dominant first-half display to secure all three points, with Akram Afif, Claudinho and Pedro Miguel finding the net before the break. Erik Exposito scored a late consolation for Al Ahli from the penalty spot.
Sadd’s defender Paulo Otavio was pleased with his team’s victory. "Good start for us. Could have been great because we conceded one goal but compared to out last two seasons it is much to start off winning with the first three points,” the Brazilian said. "This was the first week of the season, I think everybody will learn and keep improving on their levels and we'll have a good season ahead," he added.
Afif opened the scoring in the 11th minute, coolly flicking a perfect cross from Miguel into the vacant left side of the net. Al Ahli goalkeeper Yazan Naim then kept his side in the game by saving Giovani Henrique's penalty in the 35th minute. The spot kick was awarded after Yusuf Abdurisag was brought down inside the box by Benjamin Bourigeaud.
Al Sadd doubled their advantage in the 44th minute following a swift counter-attack. Abdurisag broke into the area before Claudinho finished after the ball ricocheted off a defender. Miguel added a third in the sixth minute of stoppage time, heading in a cross from Afif to give Al Sadd a commanding lead at the interval.
Al Ahli's Julian Draxler had a chance to pull one back moments later, but failed to beat Meshaal Barsham when presented with a clear opportunity. Al Sadd continued to create chances after the break but could not extend their lead. Al Ahli were awarded a penalty in the 76th minute after a powerful Exposito shot struck Al Sadd defender Tarek Salman on the hand near the right post. Following a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot and Exposito sent Barsham the wrong way to make it 3-1.
At Al Bayt Stadium, Al Duhail also made a winning start as Edmilson Junior scored twice in the second half to secure a victory over Al Sailiya. The first half ended goalless, with both sides creating chances but failing to find the breakthrough. Edmilson opened the scoring in the 62nd minute, firing into the bottom right corner from the centre of the box after fine work by Oumar Sekou.
The Brazilian doubled Al Duhail's advantage just four minutes later, producing a left-footed finish from Mubarak Shanan's assist. Al Sailiya came close to reducing the deficit in the 77th minute when Anwar El Ghazi's powerful effort from the left side of the box struck the left post. The Red Knights held firm in the closing stages, with Edmilson's second-half double securing a deserved three points.
