Doha, January 23 (QNA) – Al Duhail temporarily topped the QNB Stars League after defeating Al Shamal 2-0 in Week 11 of the 2022-2023 season at the Al Duhail Stadium on Monday.

Al Duhail’s win was realised through a brace from their Kenyan striker Michael Olunga, who scored in the 61st and 68th minutes.

The victory took Al Duhail’s points tally to 23 points in 10 matches – coming from seven victories, two draws and one loss in the league so far.

Al Shamal remained on 10 points. They have won three matches, drawn one game, but have suffered four losses thus far.

Al Shamal put up their good defence in the opening half against Al Duhail foiling several of their attempts on goal. Al Shamal goalkeeper Babacar Seck stood out with his saves and alert anticipation which left Al Duhail frustrated at times.

In the 40th minute, Al Duhail midfielder Lotfi Madjer managed to score but Olunga was ruled offside, and clearly so.

Al Duhail, however, did not have to wait much longer in the second half as their captain Almoez Ali and Olunga made for a fine combination to fetch the first goal. After a rasping drive from Almoez ricocheted off goalkeeper Seck, Olunga moved in to latch on to the chance and score.

Olunga produced his and his team’s second goal minutes soon, positioning himself perfectly to reach for Ferjani Sassi’s flag-kick and place it in the left corner of the net.

The goal also saw Olunga become the league’s top-scorer. He now has a tally of nine goals, one ahead of Jacinto Dala of Al Wakrah, who has scored 8 goals.

While Al Shamal tried hard to rally they couldn’t succeed much in breaking Al Duhail’s defence line.

Their one good chance came in the 84th minute when substitute Abdulaziz Adel Ibrahim tried to reach for a header and got a feeble back touch and the ball went on to hit the left goal post and roll away.

The matches of this round will be completed on Tuesday where Al Wakrah will play with Al Sailiya, Al Rayyan will play with Al Gharafa, and Qatar SC will play with Umm Salal.

(QNA)

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