Iraq’s Al Shorta SC ended a four-match losing run after beating Qatar’s Al Duhail SC 2-1 on Matchday Five of the 2021 AFC Champions League Group C yesterday.
The result was a blow to Al Duhail’s Round of 16 hopes, with the Qatari side having entered the tie with an unbeaten record as group leaders while Al Shorta - already eliminated - were looking for their first points of the campaign.
The Iraqi side started with a bang, taking the lead inside three minutes after Fahad Youssef’s cross from the left flank was deflected into the path of the onrushing Amjad Attwan, who hit a powerful effort on the volley that nestled in the back of the net despite goalkeeper Salah Zakaria’s desperate attempt to parry it.
Ismail Mohammad applied pressure and won the ball high up the field before feeding his Qatari international teammate Ali on the left flank and the Al Duhail captain squared for Michael Olunga to sweep home his eighth goal of the competition, moving four goals clear of his nearest chasers.
With just six minutes to go, Al Shorta took the lead again and did so in style. Moroccan defender Medhi Benatia was sent off in the last minutes of added time for a second bookable offence, but it made no difference as the referee blew the final whistle seconds later.
