Al Sadd got the better of Al Arabi, winning 4-1, in Week 6 of the 2020-21 season QNB Stars League at the Al Arabi Stadium on Sunday.
For Al Sadd, Baghdad Bounedjah (12th minute), Santiago Cazorla (30th), Abdelkarim Hassan (61st) and Rodrigo Tabata (81st) scored the goals, while Aron Gunnarsson scored the only goal for Al Arabi off a deflected free-kick in the 74th minute.
Coached by Barca great Xavi Hernandez, Al Sadd exhibited fast attacking and delivered their fifth win from six matches. Al Sadd now have 16 points and continued to top the table.
Al Arabi, coached by Heimir Hallgrimsson, have five points.
In the 12th minute, Algerian star Bounedjah completed a slick low cross from Hassan with a slick header that sent the ball into the net with Al Arabi keeper Mahmoud Abunada unable to block the shot.
Four minutes later, Al Arabi found a breakthrough from relentless Al Sadd attacks and created a slight flutter when Sebastian Soria slipped in a low cross to Ahmed Fathy, who could not control his deflection from close range, sending the ball away from the target.
Exactly at the half-hour mark, Al Sadd went 2-0 up. Hassan Al Haydous, unable to find space at the corner of Al Arabi box, tapped the ball to defender Hassan who produced fast speed from the right before clipping in a pass to Cazorla. The former Arsenal player, who had already taken up position, volleyed home from a few feet into Al Arabi box on first attempt.
In the 61st minute, Akram found Abdelkarim Hassan ready to charge into the Al Arabi box after covering a short distance from the right flank. Hassan picked up the short cross and tapped the ball over the goalkeeper, who had charged out of his position.
Icelandic star Gunnarsson reduced the deficit in the 74th minute when his free-kick was deflected into the net by Tabata, who struck Al Sadd’s fourth goal off a free-kick.
Source: qsl.qa