Al-Duhail — Al-Arabi SC: 2:0, QSL Cup

Al-Sadd beat Al-Arabi 2-0 in the opening Group Stage match of the QSL Cup on Sunday. The hosts took control from the first whistle and never let go, while their visitors struggled to find any rhythm after going a man short.

The opening goal came in the twelfth minute, a quick strike that pinned Al-Arabi back. The hosts kept the pressure on through the opening half and doubled their advantage in the fifty-sixth minute. By then, the visitors were already chasing shadows. A red card in the fifty-seventh minute tightened things up further — Al-Arabi simply had nothing to do all evening after that.

Al-Sadd dominated the numbers. They registered 109 attacks to 84, with possession split 59 per cent to 41. Their shooting was precise: eight shots on target and eight off, with only one blocked. Al-Arabi could not find the net at all — zero shots on target and zero accuracy. They had four blocked attempts and two corners compared to four for the hosts.

The result ends a run of draws for Al-Sadd, who had drawn four of their last five matches before this one. Al-Arabi, meanwhile, saw their recent form dip after a couple of wins earlier in September. The hosts now sit at the top of the group with three points from one game, while Al-Arabi are staring at the drop after a tough start.