Al-Sadd secured the top spot in the Expo Stars League table by defeating Muaither 2-0 in their Round 7 match held on Saturday at the Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium.
With this victory, Al-Sadd ascended to the top of the standings with 16 points from 6 matches. Akram Afif scored the first goal for the team from a penalty in the 42nd minute, and Hashim Ali added the second goal in the 94th minute.
The match started quietly and cautiously, with the first ten minutes seeing no real threat to either goal.
Al-Sadd players intensified their pressure to penetrate Muaither’s defense, and in the 25th minute, Akram played a cross that defender Amin Hazbawi headed just beside the left post of Muaither.
In the 42nd minute, Al-Sadd scored the opening goal through Akram from a penalty. The referee awarded the penalty after Akram was fouled by Muaither’s defense, and he duly stepped up to convert it into a goal, making the breakthrough for Al-Sadd.
Al-Sadd increased their pressure at the beginning of the second half, diversifying their attacks. In the 51st minute, Akram unleashed a shot from the edge of the penalty area that hit the Muaither crossbar and went out.
The first substitution for Al-Sadd came in the 66th minute, with Yousuf Abdurisag replacing Baghdad Bounedjah. Later, Mustafa Tarek Mishaal came in for Ali Asad in the 74th minute.
Both teams made attempts in the final minutes, with Al-Sadd seeking to add a second goal. In the 81st minute, Akram fired a powerful shot that grazed the left post of Muaither. The substitute Hashim Ali then scored for Al-Sadd with a powerful effort from outside the box in injury time to complete the 2-0 win.
