Doha Bank Stars League: Al Shamal stay perfect, Al Ahli hit five, Qatar SC rescue late draw in thrilling Week 4
The Doha Bank Stars League produced a memorable Week 4 on Saturday, with high-scoring encounters and late drama across the grounds.
At Al Bayt Stadium, Al Shamal continued their perfect start, defeating Al Arabi 3-2 in a gripping contest. Mohammad Mannai struck twice in the 32nd and 68th minutes, while Baghdad Bounedjah added a penalty in between. Al Arabi responded through Yazan Al Naimat just before halftime and Jordan Veretout in the 72nd minute, but they could not force a third. The result gave Al Shamal their fourth straight win and 12 points, keeping them clear at the summit, while Al Arabi remain on four.
Over at Al Thumama Stadium, Al Ahli finally celebrated their first win of the campaign, overcoming Al Wakrah 5-3 in a rollercoaster. The match opened chaotically when Fahad Waad’s headed own goal gave Al Ahli the lead in the eighth minute. Redouane Berkane levelled eight minutes later, only for Dutchman Michel Vlap to restore the advantage in the 27th. Al Wakrah drew level again through Amin Zahzouh’s penalty in the 35th, but Suhaib Gannan struck just before the interval to make it 3-2 to Al Ahli. Moments after the restart, Berkane scored his second to tie it at 3-3. From there, Al Ahli seized control: Vlap finished smartly in the 72nd, before Julian Draxler wrapped things up in the 89th with a clinical strike. The win gave Al Ahli their first points of the season, while Al Wakrah stayed on seven.
The night concluded at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, where Qatar SC and Al Rayyan shared an unforgettable 1-1 draw. VAR denied Al Rayyan an own goal in the 50th minute, and Roger Guedes later came close to breaking the deadlock. When Aleksandar Mitrovic finally struck in stoppage time, it looked to be the winner — but in the 101st minute, Ali Saoudi rose highest to head in Yan Mateus’s free-kick and rescue a point. Qatar SC stayed second on 10 points, while Al Rayyan moved to seven in fourth.
