Qatar SC players celebrate with Joao Pedro after the Brazilian scored a goal against Umm Salal yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: Joao Pedro fired a second-half brace as 10-man Qatar SC fought back to earn a 2-1 victory over Umm Salal and move to the top of the Qatar Stars League (QSL) yesterday.
Al Rayyan also leapfrogged in the standings with a 2-0 victory over Al Wakrah, climbing to fourth spot.
Marquez Lopez’s Qatar SC were reduced to 10 men after Ahmed Sayyar received his marching orders in the 14th minute. Their troubles deepened when Rami Suhail gave Umm Salal the lead in first-half stoppage time.
Despite the setback, Qatar SC staged a superb second-half comeback. Pedro levelled the score in the 51st minute, converting a penalty after Naim Abdulrazaq Al Aidouni fouled Ali Saoud. The Brazilian striker then netted the winner late in the match with a low shot from outside the box that beat goalkeeper Ali Nader at the bottom left corner.
The victory took Qatar SC to 17 points from seven games - one clear of overnight leaders Al Gharafa - and ensured they remain the only unbeaten team in the league. Al Shamal, who sit third on 14 points, suffered their first defeat of the season to Al Duhail on Saturday.
“We were behind by a goal, but we came back. It was an important victory through which we regained the lead. We have a lot to offer this season and we strive to do more,” Qatar SC’s Ibrahim Masoud said after the victory.
“We have big ambitions this season, but we’re taking each match one step at a time. Qatar SC deserve a lot, and so do the fans, the coaching staff, and the players.”
Qatar SC had started brightly at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium, with Pedro narrowly missing the far corner after an early angled strike. But their momentum was halted when Sayyar picked up his second yellow card just four minutes after his first.
Faiz Selemani went close with a free kick from Eisa Ahmed’s delivery before Umm Salal began to dominate. Antonio Mance had a shot blocked while Suhail squandered a clear chance after losing control in the box with only the goalkeeper to beat. The pressure eventually paid off when Suhail headed in Cristo Perez’s cross to give Umm Salal the lead.
Pedro’s brace, however, sealed a hard-fought comeback for Qatar SC, leaving Umm Salal on six points and dropping them to 10th place.
Rodrigo, Guedes score for Al Rayyan
At the Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium, Gerard Sancho gave Al Rayyan a scare just after the half-hour mark when his powerful shot from outside the box struck the left post.
Rodrigo put Al Rayyan ahead in the 36th minute, volleying Tiago Da Silva’s cross from close range.
Goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada then denied Zouhzouh El Amine as Al Wakrah pushed for an equaliser in the second half.
However, a costly error from Aissa Laidouni handed the Blue Wave a setback in the 81st minute.
The Tunisian midfielder failed to control a pass from his goalkeeper, allowing Roger Guedes to pounce and slot home from the centre of the box.
The win lifted Artur Jorge’s side to 13 points - two ahead of fifth-placed Al Duhail - while Al Wakrah remained on 11 points in sixth place.
Elsewhere, Diogo Amaro’s 35th-minute strike earned Al Sailiya a 1-0 victory over Al Shahania at Al Khor Stadium. The win moved Al Sailiya up to ninth on six points, while Al Shahania slipped to the bottom with four.
RESULTS
Al Sailiya 1-0 Al Shahania
Qatar SC 2-1 Umm Salal
Al Rayyan 2-0 Al Wakrah
