Al Sadd rallied from being a goal down to upstage reigning champions Al Duhail 3-1 in a thrilling Week 9 postponed match in the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium of Al Sadd club on Wednesday.

After The Red Knights had moved up the lead in the 10th minute, Al Sadd hit back with two goals in as many minutes after the half-time break before their mercurial winger Akram Afif scored his second goal of the match (his 12th of the season) towards the end of stoppage time to dash Al Duhail’s hopes of finding an equalizer.

While Karim Boudiaf scored for Al Duhail (10th minute), Akram Afif (57th minute-penalty and 90+12 minute) and Gonzalo Plata (59th minute) got the goals for Al Sadd.

It was The Wolves’ ninth win of the season from 10 games and kept them top of the rankings with 28 points. Al Duhail remained on 17 points from 10 matches following their third defeat of the season.

The match witnessed the expulsion of Al Duhail player Ibrahima Bamba in the 82nd minute.

The fascinating contest was, as expected, played at a fast pace, with Al Duhail drawing first blood as Boudiaf produced a fine header off an Almoez Ali corner kick. Boudiaf timed his jump perfectly and got the ball from the right of his head to beat two defenders and Al Sadd goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham to his left.

The setback put Al Sadd somewhat on the back foot as they rallied to stage the fightback. They got a chance in the 15th minute, with Paulo Otavio being in the clear, but his diagonal header from the left beat a diving Al Duhail goalkeeper Salah Zakaria. But the ball after pitching one bounce went on to hit the middle of the right post and was then cleared away.

Later in the 32nd minute, Baghdad Bounedjah scored from close range, but was ruled offside. The action followed after Hassan Al Haydous’ pass from top of the box was cut off by Ruben Semedo but the ball fell to a lurking Bounedjah who lunged ahead to strike. A VAR check by the referee ruled offside.

In the 44th minute, Barsham staved off a close Al Duhail chance by pushing the ball out with his hands.

The next minute, Al Sadd’s counterattack saw Afif make a powerful strike from outside the box, but it was well saved by goalkeeper Zakaria.

Al Duhail squandered their advantage early in the second half as Semedo drew a foul inside the danger area bringing down Bounedjah. Al Sadd were awarded a penalty and Afif scored from the spot going for the left bottom corner of the net.

Having drawn parity, Al Sadd were back to their attacking best and gained the lead two minutes later following an Al Haydous free-kick (from almost 35 yards outside the box and to the left near the sideline). The long ball was converted into a header pass by Boualem Khoukhi inside on the right and Plata made a fine left-foot strike which went to hit the right of the crossbar before the ball dashed in (2-1).

Plata did a jig in delight, as teammates joined in, with Al Sadd fans applauding with joy from the stands.

There on, it was an uphill task for Al Duhail to battle back and, despite their many attempts, they could not.

A total of 13 minutes were added at the end and The Red Knights made more frantic attempts with Ismail Mohammed, Almoez and Suhaib Gannan coming close, but failing to find the target.

In the dying moments, Al Sadd made a counter with a long high-ball kick which was picked up by Boundejah and he moved in to make a cross to Afif on the left to fire once again and The Wolves were home 3-1.