Luweil City put their recent struggles behind them with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Al-Wakrah in the Star League's regular season third round on Thursday. The result lifts the hosts to 10th place while Al-Wakrah remain in ninth, both clubs still searching for their first win of the campaign after drawing and losing their opening fixtures.
Hamidreza Firouzi gave the hosts the lead at the 12th minute, a goal that shifted the momentum decisively. To be fair, Al-Wakrah had looked comfortable in their previous two matches — a 1-2 defeat to Al-Rayyan and a 2-2 draw with Qatar — but this performance told a different story entirely.
And here's the thing about the penalty awarded at 19 minutes. Rodrigo Machado converted from the spot before his second effort was cancelled by VAR at 27 minutes, a moment that could have defined the match if it had stood. The hosts pressed with purpose after that, refusing to let Al-Wakrah settle into any rhythm.
Farhad Zavoshi was the man who made the difference in the second half, scoring twice in quick succession. He opened his account at 45+4 minutes and added another at 57, demonstrating the kind of movement that Luweil City have been missing all season. By then, the visitors had already been reduced to defending deep after their substitution pattern left them vulnerable.
Al-Wakrah made five changes, bringing on Ayoub Assal, Redouane Berkane and others, but the tactical shift came too late. Luweil City responded with their own substitutions, introducing Amin Pilali and eventually taking Zavoshi off after his brace, content to see out the victory.
The statistics tell you everything. Luweil City managed just 43 per cent possession but created three big chances from five shots on target, while Al-Wakrah's 57 per cent possession yielded nothing from four attempts on goal. The guests attempted 25 crosses compared to seven, but only three of the hosts' went home.
Both sides now carry one point from two games, though the gap between them feels wider than the table suggests. Luweil City have nothing to lose, and on this showing, they may yet climb higher than their current position of 10th place.
