Qatar SC Triumph Over Al Sadd 3-2 as QSL 2025 Season Kicks Off

Qatar SC kicked off their Qatar Stars League campaign in spectacular fashion, edging defending champions Al Sadd 3-2 in an electrifying clash at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium yesterday. Meanwhile, Al Duhail had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Al Shahania in their opening match.

Under Marquez Lopez, Qatar SC looked sharper from the start. Joao Pedro nearly opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a powerful header, but Al Sadd goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham made a brilliant save. The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when Ali Saoud evaded his marker to head in a corner, the ball bouncing into the far corner to give Qatar SC, who finished 10th last season, a well-deserved lead. Al Sadd responded with urgency, with Giovani and Guilherme Torres coming close, and Akram Afif firing wide after a slick run by Torres, leaving the Wolves ahead at halftime.

The second half saw Giovani hit the crossbar before Al Sadd finally equalised in the 57th minute. Claudinho’s shot from outside the box was blocked following a corner, and Torres pounced on the rebound to level the score. The goal was initially ruled out for offside but was awarded after a VAR review. Former Liverpool star Roberto Firmino made his much-anticipated debut in the 73rd minute to loud applause, yet Qatar SC quickly regained control. Said Mohammed headed in a pinpoint cross from Faiz Selemani to restore the lead just seconds later, and six minutes afterward, Joao Pedro struck a low drive from outside the box, making it 3-1. Al Sadd pulled one back in the 84th minute, with Claudinho heading in a superb cross from Paulo Silva. Despite intense late pressure, including 11 minutes of stoppage time, Qatar SC held firm to seal a memorable first win under Lopez.

Al Duhail, fresh from a 3-2 victory over Sepahan SC in the AFC Champions League Elite preliminaries, struggled in their QSL opener, drawing 1-1 with Al Shahania at Khalifa International Stadium. Despite dominating possession, Djamel Belmadi’s side were wasteful in front of goal. Al Shahania showed early intent, with Lotfi Madjer testing Salah Zakaria, and in the 24th minute, Pelle van Amersfoort fired them ahead following a smart assist by Moameen Mutasem Ragab. Ibrahima Bamba thought he had equalised in the 37th minute after converting a rebound from Krzysztof Piatek’s blocked shot, but the goal was ruled offside. Adil Boulbina missed another golden chance just before halftime.

Al Duhail finally broke through in the 52nd minute when captain Karim Boudiaf rose high to head in Bourigeaud Benjamin’s free-kick, slotting it into the right corner. Despite sustained pressure, Al Duhail could not find a winner, while Al Shahania held firm to earn a valuable point against last season’s runners-up. Al Sadd will look to bounce back against Al Ahli on Thursday, while Qatar SC faces Al Sailiya the same day. Al Duhail will take on Al Wakrah, and Al Shahania meets Umm Salal, with both matches scheduled for next Saturday.