QSL
A brace from Ben Malango, including a last-gasp equalizer, saw Qatar SC make a fighting comeback to hold Umm Salal to a 2-2 draw in Week 6 match of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League at the Al Janoub Stadium on Friday.
Despite Umm Salal going up in lead twice in the match, Qatar SC - thanks to Malango’s efforts - hit back with goals to deny Umm Salal a victory.
While Oussama Tannane (57th minute) and Antonio Mance (60th minute) scored for Umm Salal, Malango struck for Qatar SC in the 65th and 90+6 minutes.
Both of Malango’s goals came through headers. But it was the dying-minute effort from the Congolese that put paid to the Orange Fortress’ efforts. Substitute Khaled Ahmed Mahmoudi provided Malango with a perfect curling cross with the latter being in good position in front of the goal to make a superb connect that beat the goalkeeper to his left to level the scores 2-2.
Earlier, Malango had traced a Badr Benoun long ball from the right which beat Umm Salal defenders to find Malango far left as he dipped in with the header.
Qatar SC till then were down 0-2, with Umm Salal producing two quick goals in a space of three minutes by the hour mark.
Tannane fired the first salvo with a brilliant left-footed strike from almost 20 yards away from the box to give Umm Salal the lead.
Soon, Mance moved in from the left to make another blazing left-footed strike that found the roof at the centre of the net.
It was Umm Salal who held sway for most part of the match, while Qatar SC kept looking to make inroads.
Early in the 10th minute, a Tannane free-kick went on to hit the cross bar while in the 30th minute a Kenji Gorre strike went straight to Qatar SC goalkeeper Motasem Majed Albustami.
Later, Albustami also blocked a Tannane hit following a Gorre cross in the 59th minute.
Till Umm Salal succeeded in breaking the deadlock, Albustami had made as many as nine saves for his side.
In the 70th minute, a Carlos Vinicius sharp attempt for Qatar SC just went over the bar.
It was both Qatar SC and Umm Salal’s first draw result of the league season so far. While Umm Salal have a tally of 10 points, Qatar SC have four points to their credit.