Doha, Qatar: Al Duhail and Al Sadd are experiencing contrasting fortunes after kicking off their Ooredoo Stars League (OSL) campaigns as top the title contenders. With the top flight completing five rounds, the Red Knights stayed perfect while the Wolves are reeling after suffering three early defeats in their title defence. Al Duhail came out with flying colours from their toughest test in start of the season when they outclassed Al Sadd 5-1 on Saturday, extending their lead to four points over Al Ahli after their fifth straight victory.
Christophe Galtier’s men have shown great resilience after a dismal 2023-24 season following which they failed to reach the Asian Champions League competitions. So far they have been phenomenal scoring 16 goals while conceding only twice in their emphatic victories. All Al Duhail need now is consistency and they are aware any complacency at this stage can cost them dearly.
“We still have a long way to go. We are happy with our perfect run but at the same time all the players have sense of responsibility to maintain the momentum,” Al Duhail’s Ismaeel Mohammed had said after the win over Al Sadd. “The last season is behind us and all of us are focused in reviving Al Duhail’s status with title wins,” the season Qatari midfielder added.
Despite a shock defeat to Al Shamal in their opener, Al Sadd looked on track after big wins over Qatar SC and Al Arabi but defeats to Umm Salal and Al Duhail in their last two games have made the ti.