DOHA: Umm Salal triumphed over Al Shamal 3-2 in a highly competitive Week 2 match of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League, held at Al Janoub Stadium on Friday.
This victory marked the first win of the league season for The Orange Fortress, while Al Shamal experienced their initial defeat after having previously stunned the defending champions, Al Sadd, in the opening match.
Captain Victor Lekhal netted two goals for Umm Salal in the seventh and 28th minutes, with Antonio Mance contributing a third goal just after halftime in the 46th minute. Al Shamal’s goals were scored by Baghdad Bounedjah, who converted a penalty in the 81st minute and added another in stoppage time at 90+7 minutes.
Umm Salal quickly established dominance as Khalaf Saad advanced down the right flank, delivering a cross that Lekhal connected with using a stretched right leg, executing a half bicycle kick that outwitted goalkeeper Babacar Seck to his right.
Al Shamal sought to respond in the 10th minute, but a header from Bounedjah was expertly saved by Umm Salal goalkeeper Loukay Sherif, who extended his left hand to deflect the ball.
Umm Salal struck again shortly thereafter from a free-kick. Oussama Tannane, taking the kick from approximately 20 yards out on the left, delivered a precise ball that Lekhal met while breaking free on the far right. The unmarked Lekhal headed the ball powerfully, which struck the inside of the crossbar before finding the net.
Al Shamal attempted to counter in the 35th minute when Bounedjah managed to outpace a defender to gain possession, but his cross into the box was intercepted.
Just after the halftime interval, Umm Salal compounded Al Shamal’s difficulties.
This time, Tannane outmaneuvered three defenders before passing to Lekhal, who scored with a left-footed shot into the bottom corner, extending the lead to 3-0.
Al Shamal endeavored to recover, yet their efforts were consistently thwarted by Umm Salal’s robust defense.
Three minutes later, Al Shamal made another attempt to break through, but Faisal Azadi’s shot was blocked by the goalkeeper near the left post.
Al Shamal were finally rewarded for their persistence in the 81st minute when they were awarded a penalty after Khalaf Saad fouled Fahad Waad within the penalty area.
Bounedjah confidently converted the penalty, bringing the score to 3-1.
As the match approached its conclusion, Al Shamal maintained their offensive pressure and found the net once more in the dying moments of added time.
Substitute Omar Mohammed made a decisive run down the right flank, assisting Bounedjah, who scored again, making it 3-2. Throughout the match, Al Shamal dominated possession with 68 percent, while Umm Salal demonstrated greater precision in both their offensive and defensive plays.
