Al-Sadd suffered a 3-0 defeat to Al-Arabi in the final match of the 2023 Amir Cup, which was played on Friday, at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.
Omar Al-Somah twice for Al-Arabi in the 62nd and 98th minutes, while Hamed Ismail added another goal in the 90th minute.
The match began with both teams displaying great enthusiasm and intensity. The initial period saw a cautious approach from both sides, with no real threats on either goalkeeper for the first 15 minutes.
However, Al-Sadd players gradually increased their pressure and took control of the midfield. In the 26th minute, Pedro Miguel made a penetrating run from the right and delivered a cross that was cleared by Al-Arabi’s defense just in front of Baghdad Bounedjah. Shortly after, Santi Cazorla unleashed a shot in the 28th minute that struck Al-Arabi’s defender Aron Gunnarsson and went out for a corner. Al-Sadd continued their attacking attempts, but the first half concluded with a goalless draw.
Al-Sadd maintained their dominance and intensified their pressure from the beginning of the second half. In the 50th minute, the referee initially awarded a penalty after Baghdad Bounedjah was fouled, but the decision was reversed following a VAR review.
It was in the 62nd minute when Omar Al-Somah found the back of the net, securing the opening goal for Al-Arabi. Al-Somah skillfully headed in a well-placed cross from the right into the left corner, beyond the reach of Saad Al-Dosari, the Al-Sadd goalkeeper.
Despite being behind, Al-Sadd players fought back in the final minutes, pushing to equalise the score. In the 80th minute, Pedro Miguel delivered a precise cross that Khokhi Boualem met with a powerful header, narrowly missing the left post. Baghdad Bounedjah also came close in the 89th minute with a header that grazed the right post of Al-Arabi’s goal.
However, Al-Arabi managed to seal their victory during the added time. In the 90th minute, Hamed Ismail scored the second goal, followed by another strike from Omar Al-Somah in the 98th minute, with both goals coming from counter-attacks.
