Al Sadd's Guilherme Torres (left) and Al Duhail's Rabeh Yahia Boussafi in action.
Doha: A highly competitive Al Duhail outfit yesterday succeeded in breaking reigning champions Al Sadd’s winning streak in the QNB Stars League (QSL) when they held the Xavi-Hernandez coached side in an exhilarating 3-3 draw.
At Al Gharafa Stadium, Michael Olunga (24th and 89th minutes) scored for Al Duhail, who were also helped by an own goal by Al Sadd defender Pedro Miguel in the 31st minute.
Algerian goal machine Baghdad Bounedjah (4th minute), Boualem Khoukhi (73rd minute) and substitute Rodrigo Tabata (74th minute) were on target for points leaders Al Sadd.
Al Sadd, who had won all of their previous games this season before going into yesterday’s high-profile clash, are now leading the QSL points tally with 25 points while Al Duhail are at 22 in the second spot.
Al Sadd took an early lead in what could be billed as the biggest clash in the first half of the League this season.
Bounedjah’s header, assisted by South Korean Jung Woo-Young who made a long pass, put Al Sadd ahead before Al Duhail equalised through Olunga who nodded home Edmilson Junior’s corner.
Al Duhail took the lead before going in to half-time break when Olunga headed off Edmilson’s corner deflected off Pedro’s leg before going in.
However, Al Sadd bounced back strongly in the second half while their cause was helped by the red-card (second yellow) to Al Duhail’s Luis Martin Junior in the 45th minute following his foul on Bounedjah.
Tabata, who came in for Ali Asad, played his roles in both of Al Sadd’s remaining goals.
First, Khoukhi headed in Tabata’s corner kick and then the latter himself got into the scoring act with the help of Al Haydos.
As Al Sadd were cruising towards victory, Al Duhail fought hard to save the game.
Olunga again did the rescue act for the Red Knights in the closing minutes with another header off Ismail Mohammed’s cross and the two strongest teams in the QSL this season went on to share the points.
Earlier, at the same venue, the hosts Al Gharafa beat Al Rayyan 2-0 with the held of goals from Mahdi Tahrat (43rd minute) and Ahmed Al Janehi (69th minute).
The win took Al Gharafa’s points tally to 15 at the fifth spot in the standings, while Al Rayyan remained on nine points .
Al Rayyan were coming off a 1-2 defeat in the hands of Al Arabi while Al Gharafa suffered a 0-1 loss to Al Wakrah in the previous round.
That made yesterday’s match extra special for both teams as they were keen on getting back to winning ways.
Al Rayyan missed their Colombian star James Rodriguez, who got injured during their match against Al Arabi, and that may have made things a little bit easier for Al Gharafa.
Earlier, at Al Wakrah Stadium, Al Ahli and Al Shamal shared points following a goalless draw.
