Achraf Bencharki scored the only goal as Al Rayyan defeated Al Duhail 1-0 in Round 5 (Group B) of the 2023-2024 season Ooredoo Cup at the Grand Hamad Stadium of Al Arabi club on Sunday.

Bencharki’s goal came in the 21st minute of the highly-entertaining encounter.

The two teams advanced into the quarterfinals, with both of them garnering the same nine points and having the same goal difference (+3). But Al Rayyan topped the table, having scored more number of goals.

Al Markhiya (seven points) and Al Shamal (three points) too made it to the quarterfinals from Group B, where Al Gharafa (one points) were the other team.

Any clash between Al Rayyan and Al Duhail has always been mouth-watering and this match was no exception as the duo demonstrated the reasons why they are two of Qatar’s strongest teams with their exciting display right from the blast of opening whistle.

After several missed opportunities on both sides, Bencharki opened the scoring after beating Al Duhail’s defence following an in-swinging cross into the 18-yard box by youth player Mostafa Esam, to slide in a low shot into the bottom right corner of goalkeeper Shehab Ellethy’s net.

With a goal down, Al Duhail became more attack-minded as they pressed forward in search of an equaliser, which often resulted in their backline being vulnerable on the counter from Al Rayyan and Bencharki could have added a second in the 43rd minute if not for poor finishing after evading Al Duhail’s last line of defence.

The early part of the second half offered not much difference as Al Duhail kept up the pressure in a bid to restore parity, while Al Rayyan kept their foot on the gas as they maintained their slim lead.

Al Duhail captain Mohammed Musa almost got his team back into the game from a set piece in the 69th minute, but his low-driven shot just from the edge of the box went narrowly wide.

Despite some late attempts from Al Duhail, including an injury-time free-kick from the edge of the box, Al Rayyan remained resolute in defending their maximum points as the game came to a thrilling end.