DOHA: Qatar SC held holders Al Duhail to a 1-1 draw in Week 15 of the 2020-21 season QNB Stars League at the Qatar SC Stadium on Tuesday.
Elmehdi Barrahma (21st-minute penalty) scored for Qatar SC.
Paulo Edmilson Junior netted the goal for Al Duhail in the 51st minute.
The result was another blow to second-placed Al Duhail (28 points) who lag behind leaders Al Sadd by 10 points, as the latter play Al Khor on Wednesday.
Qatar SC now have 24 points.
Al Duhail dominated the early exchanges, but Qatar SC soon settled into their stride. As a result, the highlight match of the week, pitting strong opponents against each other, lived up to its billing.
Qatar SC made their intentions clear and Anthony Okpotu’s effort went out past the outstretched hand of Al Duhail goalkeeper Salah Zakaria in the 19th minute.
Soon, a charging Qatar SC player Hamed Ismail was fouled by Al Duhail defender Mehdi Benatia inside the box and referee Khamis Al Marri awarded a penalty, which was converted by Barrahma.
During the half, Barrahma’s volley was parried by the rival goalkeeper, while Eduardo Rodriguez (Dudu) was the player who got more chances on Al Duhail side.
Dudu came close to equalising on many occasions. He was either thwarted by Qatar SC goalkeeper Jassim Al Hail or he was off-target.
The Al Duhail duo of Abdullah Al Ahrak and Edmilson too made attempts at the goal.
Al Duhail came on for the second-half action by making three substitutions. New recruit and striker Michael Olunga, winger Ismail Mohammed and defender Mohammed Moosa took the field to strengthen their ranks and they equalised, with Edmilson brilliantly heading in a cross from deep in the left by Sultan Al Breik.
With both teams being on par in terms of score, some tense moments followed.
Al Duhail further strengthened their attack line by replacing Almoez with Mohammed Muntari, but the game did not see another goal, as Barrahma’s free-kick in the 79th minute made its way out.
Al Duhail had beaten Qatar SC 2-1 in the first leg of 2020-21 season QNB Stars League.