Al Shamal defeated Al Ahli 2-1 in Week 19 of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Al Bayt Stadium on Friday.

Mohammed Omar (31st minute) and Ricardo Gomes (66th minute) scored for Al Shamal, while Oumar Sekou got Al Ahli’s goal in the 52nd minute.

With the result, Al Shamal moved further away from the relegation zone as they extended their points tally to 21, while Al Ahli remained on 20 points.

As expected, both teams were determined to leave no stone unturned in getting the maximum points, considering that the league is gradually winding down and every point is of great importance at this crucial stage of the competition.

Al Shamal had a penalty call in the ninth minute, but it was later overturned after a VAR review.

Ten minutes later, they appeared to have taken the lead in the 19th minute through Younes Belhanda, who fired home a right-footed shot from 25- yards out, but the goal was stood down after a VAR review as Mohammed Omar was adjudged to have handled the ball in the buildup to the goal.

Undeterred by the goal cancellation, Al Shamal continued to pile the pressure on Al Ahli and their effort was eventually rewarded in the 31st minute when Mohammed Omar turned from villain to hero as he netted the opening goal with a banger of a shot from 30 yards, after a quick but beautiful exchange with Belhanda.

The goal was a wake-up call for Al Ahli as they began to grow into the game with each passing minute, but much as they tried for an equalizer, the defence line of Al Shamal refused to bulge as the first half ended, with coach Poya Asbhagi’s team holding on to their lone lead.

Al Ahli came into the second half determined to overturn the deficit as early as possible and they could have got their desire in the 48th minute had Idrissa Doumbia’s shot from a corner kick not gone just inches wide of goalkeeper Abdullah Elrady’s goal.

Their wait was eventually over in the 52nd minute, when a well-positioned Sekou got them the equalizer from a sublime Julian Draxler pass to even the game.

The game became more interesting from thereon as each team went on the offensive in search of a lead.

Fortune once again smiled on Al Shamal in the 66th minute, with the rebound of a shot parried by Al Ahli goalkeeper Marwan Sherif falling on the path of Ricardo Gomes, who wasted no time in sliding it in to restore his team’s lead.

Al Shamal continued to knock on Al Ahli’s door despite their lead and they could have extended their lead in the 81st minute if not for the heroics of goalkeeper Sherif, whose quick response prevented Belhanda’s high-powered, out-of-the box low shot from going in.

Al Ahli had a couple of great chances as the match approached the closing minutes but, unfortunately, they could not finish off, with the match ending with all three points going the way of Al Shamal.