Ayo Victor
Defending champions Al Sadd began their Doha Bank Stars League 2026-2027 campaign with a 3-1 win over Al Ahli at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday.
Akram Afif (11th minute), Claudinho (44th minute) and Pedro Miguel (45+6 minute) scored for Al Sadd while Eric Exposito scored for Al Ahli (80th minute –penalty).
Akram Afif opened the scoring as he coolly flicked in a perfect Pedro Miguel cross into the vacant left half of the net.
In the 35th minute, Al Ahli goalkeeper Yazan Naim saved a penalty kick of Giovani Henrique after Al Sadd’s Yusuf Abdurisag was felled inside the box by Benjamin Bourigeaud.
Al Sadd doubled the lead after a counter-attack with Claudinho scoring off a defender’s ricochet after Abdurisag had broken into the striking area.
In added time of opening half, an unmarked Miguel added to the tally as he headed in an Afif cross.
In the 76th minute, a powerful Erik Exposito shot hit Al Sadd’s Tarek Salman’s hand while manning near the right post. After a VAR check, the referee called for the penalty and Exposito beat a diving Meshaal Barsham to his right.
Doha Bank Stars League 2026-2027 Week 1: Al Duhail 2-0 Al Sailiya
Al Duhail opened their 2026-2027 season Doha Bank Stars League with a 2-0 defeat of Al Sailiya at the Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday.
Edmilson Junior scored both second-half goals as The Red Knights began their campaign with a well-deserved victory.
The first half ended goalless as the two sides went toe-to-toe, with several clear chances going begging.
Edmilson opened the scoring for Al Duhail in the 62nd minute, firing home from the centre of the box into the bottom right corner after fine work by Oumar Sekou.
Barely had the celebrations died down when Edmilson doubled the lead four minutes later with a left-footed finish from an assist by Mubarak Shanan.
Anwar El Ghazi almost pulled one back for Al Sailiya in the 77th minute when his powerful shot from the left side of the box struck the left post but despite the visiting team’s attempt, Edmilson’s goals proved the difference in the end.
Other Results
Al Arabi 2-2 Al Shamal
Al Gharafa 2-1 Al Shahania
Al Rayan 1-0 Lusail
Al Wakrah 2-2 Qatar SC