Salim Cheniouni
Al Duhail secured a 1-0 victory over Al Rayyan in Group A of the 2024-2025 QSL Cup, thanks to a 25th-minute penalty by Spanish player Luis Alberto. Al Rayyan missed a chance to equalize when Mubarak Shanan missed a stoppage-time penalty (90+7). This win puts Al Duhail on top of the group with 9 points, while Al Rayyan, suffering their first loss, stays in second place with 6 points.
Elsewhere, Al Arabi beat Al Shahaniya 2-0, with goals from Wassim Qadari (13') and Palestinian Ala'a Eldin Hassan (22'), moving Al Arabi to third place, level on 6 points with Al Rayyan but behind on goal difference. Al Shahaniya remained sixth with 1 point.
In another match, Al Ahli claimed a 1-0 win over Qatar SC, courtesy of Erik Exposito’s 65th-minute strike, lifting Al Ahli to fourth place with 3 points, while Qatar SC stayed fifth with 1 point.
Two more matches will conclude the third round, including Umm Salal against Al Gharafa and Al Khor versus Al Shamal. The QSL Cup features two groups based on last season’s league standings. Defending champions Umm Salal won the 2023-2024 edition after defeating Al Arabi in a penalty shootout. Al Sadd withdrew from this year’s competition.