Doha: Edmilson Junior scored a brace as Al Duhail defeated Al Wakrah 2-0 in the concluding match of Week 4 of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League at the Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday.
Edmilson’s goal came in the 13th and 27th minutes as the Red Knights maintained their perfect start to the season, having won all four of their matches to garner the maximum 12 points, while Al Wakrah remained on five points, having won one and drawn two of their previous matches.
Al Duhail were clearly the better of the two sides right from the start of the thrilling encounter as they took the battle to their opponents gate from the get go with waves of relentless attacks as they searched for an early goal.
After several attempts, Al Wakrah’s defence eventually caved in the 13th minute, with Edmilson opening the scoring for the French coach Christophe Galtier’s side with arguably a goal-of-the-week contender, superbly curling in the ball from the edge of the box beyond the reach of the hapless goalkeeper Mohammed Al Bakri.
The Red Knights were saved from being reduced to ten men five minutes later, with Michael Olunga initially giving the red card for a foul on Al Wakrah’s Hamdy Fathy, but the decision was rescinded after a lengthy VAR check with a cautionary card awarded instead.
Edmilson was on hand again in the 27th minute to secure his brace of the night with another spectacular performance. The Brazilian dazzled his way past Al Wakrah’s defence before releasing a left-footed shot from a tight angle that sailed straight to the top side of goalkeeper Al Bakri’s net.
Al Duhail continued to up the pressure against their opponents, but some brilliant performances by Al Wakrah’s backline prevented what could have been additional goals for the league leaders going into halftime.
Three minutes into the second half, Al Duhail were eventually reduced to ten men, with Ibrahima Diallo getting his second booking of the night for a rough tackle on Fathy.
The Blue Wave seized the opportunity of their one-man advantage as they became more daring upfront in an attempt to cut the deficit and possibly rescue a point in the entertaining encounter.
Al Wakrah’s Jacinto Dala missed what could have been a simple tap in into an empty net in the 78th minute following a headed pass from substitute Yousef El Khatib, but the Angolan international somehow missed the ball.
Despite several pressures from Al Wakrah, especially towards the end of the game, Al Duhail maintained their lead as they ran away with the maximum points and clean sheet to continue their dominance in the standings.
