Lucas Joao scored a brace as Umm Salal upstaged formidable Al Duhail 2-0 in Week 21 of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium of Al Gharafa club on Wednesday.

Angolan Joao scored in the 48th and 90th minutes for Umm Salal.

Reigning champions Al Duhail were hit hard when two of their players received red cards – Almoez Ali (after a second yellow card in the 45th minute) and Mohammed Musa in the 87th minute.

Each time The Red Knights were reprimanded, The Orange Fortress gained advantage and scored, thereby spoiling Al Duhail’s hopes.

The result saw Umm Salal take their own tally to 27 points, while Al Duhail, suffering their ninth loss of the season, remained on 28 points.

The opening goal for Umm Salal was realized as a miss-pass of Al Duhail was intercepted by Victor Lekhal, who then sent the ball to his right for Joao to essay a strong left-foot strike which hit the outstretched right hand of goalkeeper Shehab Ellethy before going in.

Joao then returned into the thick of action just before end of normal time scoring his and the team’s second goal.