Al Ahli and Umm Salal had to settle for a point each in yesterday's early kick off at Al Ahli Stadium after their Qatar Stars League game ended in a hard fought one-all draw.
Both sides have endured a mixed start to the 2016/17 QSL season and would have both welcomed three points to push up the table but neither side was able to create many chances in a game which saw limited shots on goal.
Al Ahli got off to a dream start. Just after just 48 seconds, they snatched the 1-0 lead thanks to some sloppy defending from Umm Salal’s back four. The Orange Fortress’ Ali Bazmandegan failed to clear his six yard box after Al Ahli’s Captain, Meshaal Abdulla, whipped a dangerous cross into box.
Bazmandegan’s scuffed clearance went straight to Al Ahli attacker Yessoh N'Guessan, who calmly brought it down and stabbed it into the back of the net from close range to give The Brigadiers the lead.
It was the halftime substitute, Tha'er Bawab who came into the rescue of Umm Salal.
A lovely back heel from Abdulaziz Al Yahri found Yannick Sagbo lurking on the edge of the 18 yard box with space and the Frenchman had time to pick out a lovely run into the box from Bawab who slotted it home on the 83rd minute.
Later, at Al Gharafa Stadium, Al Gharafa beat Al Arabi by 4-2.
