QSL
Baghdad Bounedjah scored a goal and assisted in the other as Al Shamal beat Al Khor 2-1 in their Week 5 clash of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League at the Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday.
The second win of the league championship for Al Shamal was realized with Mohammed Omar scoring the winner in the 78th minute after the two sides were locked 1-1. Earlier, Bounedjah had provided his side the lead in the 18th minute.
Al Khor got the equalizer in the 27th minute after Soufiane Hanni scored from the spot. The penalty was awarded as Younes Mohammed brought down Al Khor’s Adil Rhaili while battling for the ball following a corner kick.
The result took Al Shamal’s tally to seven points, while Al Khor, still searching for their maiden league win of the season, are on three points.
At the start, Al Shamal was surprised to see a shot from Omar hit the left post in the 10th minute when he was in the clear in front of the target.
Bounedjah soon provided his side with joy as he grabbed on a defensive lapse inside the box to go on and score.
Nine minutes later, Al Shamal lost the initiative, with Al Khor winning the penalty to make it 1-1.
The battle resumed for another breakthrough, but despite attacks at both ends, the goalkeepers kept their respective forts intact. Both Babacar Seck of Al Shamal and Ahmed Basher Ali of Al Khor made some fine saves.
In the second half too, the defence of both sides worked overtime until 12 minutes before full time when Al Shamal found the much-needed goal. And it was scored beautifully as Bounedjah seized a chance to send across a through pass past two defenders to Omar, who well-stationed himself at the far left post to coolly deflect the ball into the net.