Al Ahli beat Al Sadd in Ooredoo Cup thriller

Doha, Qatar: Al Ahli fought back from two goals down to beat Al Sadd 4-3 in a thriller in Group A match of the 2019-20 Ooredoo Cup at the Al Ahli Stadium on Saturday.

Abel Mathias (13th minute and 38th-minute penalty), Mohammed Diame (21st minute) and Parou Babou Sadeeqi (88th minute) scored for Al Ahli, who took their tally to six points.

Moustafa Tareq (fifth minute), Rami Suhail (12th minute) and Saoud Ibrahim Al Nasr (90+4) found the mark for Al Sadd, who remained on three points that they earned from their victory over Al Shahania last week.

Al Sadd dominated the exchanges with 54 per cent possession, but it was Al Ahli who made more opportunities.

Al Sadd were two goals up inside 12 minutes as Al Ahli took time to settle down.

The Brigadiers struck back the next minute and were on level terms by the 21st minute. They went ahead before the first half drew to a close with the help of a penalty, awarded after Al Sadd goalkeeper Yousef Balideh, in his bid to effect a save, fouled Abel and the latter converted it.

After one hour, Al Sadd’s Abdulaziz Al Ansari had his shot blocked by Al Ahli goalkeeper Ivanildo Rodrigues and Ali Asad headed over the rebound.

Al Ahli launched offensives immediately after, but could find another goal only towards the end.

All that Al Sadd could do more was reducing the margin in the final moments.

Umm Salal also staged a stunning comeback as they rallied from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Al Rayyan.

The goals were scored by Gabriel Mercado (31st minute) and Rodrigo Tabata (58th-minute penalty) for Al Rayyan. Umm Salal scored late on through Yannick Sagbo in the 90th minute and Murad Naji (90+3). Rayyan top the table with seven points while Umm Salal are on two.

In another match in the group, Al Shahania and Al Wakrah played out a goalless draw. Al Shahania thus opened their account, while Al Wakrah moved to five points.