Al Sadd left it late to secure derby day glory defeating bitter rivals Al Arabi 3-2 at Grand Hamad stadium yesterday evening.
Two goals in two second half minutes swung the tie in favour of the Wolves who have captain Xavi Hernandez and Bagdad Bounjah to thank for securing the win. Arabi fought back with a goal to set up a grandstand finish, but couldn't score an equaliser to settle a spicy Doha Derby match.
With just two minutes on the clock, centre back Moustapha Sall bundled down Jugurtha Hamroun in the penalty box and Sadd where promptly awarded with a penalty.
Algerian attacker Bagdad Bounjah stepped up and knocked the ball past Rajab Hamza to give his side a dream start in the Doha Derby.
Indeed Al Sadd could have doubled their lead minutes later through the ever lively Bagdad Bounjah. In truth, Al Sadd where the better side for most of the first half, taking Al Arabi on the counter attack. Again Bagdad Bounjah missed a key chance to further extend his sides lead. Sadd captain Xavi found his team-mate with a accurate through ball, however Bounjah’s shot failed to trouble Rajab Hamza.
Against the pattern of play, Al Arabi found an equalizer with twenty five minutes on the clock. Summer signing Luis Jiménez notched his first goal of the season with a opportunistic header after a lofted cross from midfielder Mohammed Shaaban found Jiménez unmarked at the far post.
Growing in confidence, Al Arabi finished the first half on a high note, and could of headed into the break 2-1 up.
Al Sadd started on the front foot in the second half, and created their first chance of note just minutes after the restart. Captain Xavi found himself further forward however his header flew just over the bar.
The Qatar interntaional produced a fantastic goal line clearance to deny Jugurtha Hamroun to score for Al Sadd. Jesaldo Ferriera’s side where slowly putting pressure on their opponents, and with the game heading into the final ten minutes they stepped up to win the derby.
With 83 minutes on the clock Al Sadd struck through captain Xavi. Latching onto a loose ball in the Arabi box, Jugurtha Hamroun had the piece of mind to pick out Xavi, who stroked the ball into the back of the net.
Sadd all but sealed their victory just sixty seconds later when Bagdad Bounjah grabbed his second on the evening. Captain Xavi won the ball in midfield and calmly put through Bounjah who then chipped the ball into back of the net from close range to give Sadd a 3-1 lead.
Immediately after the restart Al Arabi went on the attack and found their way back into the tie with Luis Jiménez’s second goal of the game. The Chilean knocked the ball on from close range after a neat assist from substitute Ahmad Khalfan. Arabi desperately pushed for a equalzer, but Sadd held on for all three points and Doha derby bragging rights.
