Doha, Qatar: Michael Olunga’s decisive header secured a 1-0 victory for Al Duhail as they edged past Al Ahli, restoring their four-point lead in the Ooredoo Stars League (OSL) at Al Thumama Stadium. In other action yesterday, substitute Khaled Mahmoudi scored a late winner as Qatar SC rallied to stun 10-man Al Wakrah 2-1 while Baghdad Bounedjah’s hat-trick propelled Al Shamal to an emphatic 5-2 victory over Al Arabi. Al Ahli entered the clash against Christophe Galtier’s Al Duhail as the only unbeaten side this season, and they delivered an impressive performance against the Red Knights, who were returning to action after a shock loss to Al Shahania.
However, Olunga’s header proved to be the difference. In a tightly contested top-of-the-table clash, both sides remained evenly matched until Al Duhail ramped up the pressure late in the first half. Al Ahli goalkeeper Marwan Badreldin produced a brilliant save to deny Benjamin Bourigeaud’s powerful strike, but Al Duhail’s efforts soon paid off.
Three minutes before the break, Olunga broke the deadlock from a close range, giving the Red Knights the lead. Left unmarked in the box, the Kenyan striker leapt to meet a perfectly placed cross from Edmilson Junior, sending a precise header past Badreldin, who had little chance to react. Al Ahli had almost leveled the scores in 65th minute as Idrissa Doumbin’s drive just missed the target.
In the 78th minute, Marwan Badreldin came to Al Ahli’s rescue with a fine save, deny.
