Al-Sadd recorded a well-deserved 3-0 victory over Qatar SC in their Expo Stars League Round 15 clash held on Friday at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.
Akram Afif secured the win with a hat-trick of goals (34’, 44’, 45+7’), helping Al-Sadd solidify their position at the top of the league table with a tally of 35 points.
The match kicked off with intensity early on from Al-Sadd, as the players asserted their dominance in the attacking zones, threatening Qatar’s goal on multiple occasions. In the 13th minute, Akram Afif made a promising move from the left side, delivering a cross that Qatar’s defense cleared just in time to deny Gonzalo Plata.
In the 18th minute, Afif showcased another brilliant run from the left side, penetrating the penalty area and unleashing a powerful shot that Qatar’s goalkeeper Saatea Al-Abbasi deflected just in time for a corner.
Al-Sadd continued to apply pressure, and in the 34th minute, Afif found the back of the net after Plata’s run from the left side and a well-placed cross.
The team extended their lead in the 44th minute as Afif converted a penalty awarded after Hassan Al-Haydos was fouled inside the box.
Afif completed his hat-trick in added time of the first half, scoring from another penalty which he had won himself, following a foul on him by Ibrahim Majid.
The second half continued with Al-Sadd dominating, without any goals coming out of it. Wesam Rizk made two substitutions after the hour mark, bringing on Moustafa Tarek and Hashim Ali for Mohammed Waad and Hassan Al-Haydos, respectively.
Towards the end of the game, Afif came close to scoring a fourth goal with a long-range shot that went just above the crossbar. Baghdad Bounedjah also attempted a shot that narrowly missed the left post of Qatar’s goal. Despite the efforts, the second half concluded without any further goals, and Al-Sadd settled for a 3-0 victory.
