Doha: Rodri Sánchez provided the only goal as Al Arabi defeated Al Shamal 1-0 in Week 18 of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League at the Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday.
Sánchez’s goal came in the 90th + 4 minute to move Al Arabi to 22 points, while Al Shamal, who were reduced to ten men early in the second half, remained on 23 points.
The match lived up to its billings with its thrills and frills as both sides gave very good accounts of themselves, making it an exciting affair for the teeming fans who defied the chilling weather to show support for their respective teams.
Al Shamal’s Omar Mohamed almost opened the scoring in the fourth minute but was somehow unlucky with his right-footed shot from the centre of the box that went just inches wide of the target.
It was Al Arabi’s turn to take a shot at goal in the 17th minute through Yazan Al Naimat, who was perfectly set up by Marco Verratti, but his right-footed shot from a difficult angle on the right went narrowly wide.
A couple of other opportunities came the way of both sides, which were unutilized as the match remained a goalless stalemate heading into the half-time.
The keenly contested match resumed in the second half, with neither team willing to concede ground. However, the dynamics shifted in the 48th minute when Al Shamal was reduced to ten players after Mohammed Musa received his second yellow card for a foul on Al Naimat.
Further tension arose later in the match when Al Shamal appealed for a penalty due to a foul on Babacar Seck. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned, much to the frustration of the protesting players.
Al Arabi ultimately capitalized on their numerical advantage late in the game, with Sánchez scoring in the fourth minute of added time. This goal followed a brilliant display of skill from Al Naimat, who delivered a diagonal cross to the unmarked Sánchez, allowing him to finish with a left-footed shot.
This goal proved to be the decisive factor, as Al Arabi maintained their lead until the conclusion of the match.
