Al Khor picked up their first points of the QNB Stars League season with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Al Ahli. Two goals in the second half, from summer signing Soroush Rafiei and a controversial late goal from Brazillian Madson gave the Knights all three points.
The home side started the stronger and created the majority of the chances in the first half. In the 9th minute Iranian midfielder Soroush Rafiei unleashed a powerful shot from outside the Al Ahli box however goalkeeper Yazan Naeem was alert to punch the ball away.
A few minutes later, Al Khor orchestrated another attack - this time through David Da Silva - but the Brazilian striker missed his target as the ball slipped past the far goalpost. Barely a minute later and Da Silva was again amongst the chances when his effort was handled by Ahli defender John Benson. Fortunately for Ahli, the infringement was missed by the match officials.
At the half-hour mark,Da Silva registered his third chance of the game, however his free-kick was easily saved by Naeem in the Ahli goal. The first half ended honours even at 0-0.
Khor continued to dominate and they made the breakthrough on the hour mark. Iranian midfielder Rafiei’s chipped effort from the edge of the box found the back of the net, much to the relief of his team-mates.
Al Ahli sought to get back into the tie, and could of found a leveller had Simão Mate’s snap header just missed the target. On the 88th minute Khor scored their second, securing the points in controversial fashion. Brazilian midfielder Madson saw his shot from the half-way line go in, after the player noticed Ahli keeper Yazan Naeem helping a Khor player in his box. Sensing an opportunity the diminutive attacker shot from distance and found the back of the net, much to the anger of the Al Ahli players.
Source: qsl.com.qa