Doha: Al Ahli edged Al Rayyan 3-2 in an absorbing contest to reach the quarter-finals of the QSL Cup at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, yesterday. Despite the defeat, Al Rayyan also advanced joining table toppers Al Duhail and Al Arabi in the knockout stage from Group A. Matej Mitrovic scored the decisive goal for Al Ahli in the 75th minute, volleying home from close range after a Younes Hussein corner.
Al Ahli concluded their group campaign with nine points, while Al Rayyan finished in fourth place with six points. Al Duhail and Al Arabi each topped the group with 10 points following yesterday’s simultaneous matches. Igor Biscan’s Al Ahli had taken the lead through Erik Exposito, who converted an 11-minute penalty after Al Rayyan’s Hussain Ali Bahzad was penalised for a foul.
But Al Rayyan, who saw their veteran Rodrigo Tabata hitting the woodwork twice earlier, bounced back to take the lead after strikes from Tameem Mansour Al Abdulla (24th minute) and Abdulrahman Al Harazi (37th minute). Younes Hussein remained central to Al Ahli’s attack and their efforts paid off in the 66th minute when substitute Mohamed Ammad Abdelkader leveled the score, capitalising on a rebound after goalkeeper Samy Beldi parried Exposito’s initial attempt. Nine minutes later, Mitrovic’s strike secured the win.
“It was a tough match and we are happy to qualify for the quarter-final with a win,” Ammad, who scored on return from a muscle injury, said. “I am happy to score in my first m.
