Al Duhail First Football Team secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Iranian visitors Sepahan. The match, a qualifying playoff for the AFC Champions League Elite group stage, was held at Khalifa International Stadium.
Led by coach Djamel Belmadi, Al Duhail starting lineup was:
(1) Salah Zakaria “Goalkeeper”, (3) Lucas Tuta, (6) Verratti, (8) Edmilson Junior, (9) Piątek, (12) Karim Boudiaf, (17) Yousef Sabaly, (19) Benjamin Bourigeaud, (22) Ibrahima Bamba, (24) Homam Al Amin, (77) Adel Boulbina.
In the 3rd minute, Sepahan scored the first goal, capitalizing on a defensive error by Al Duhail to take an early lead.
In the 12th minute, Benjamin Bourigeaud delivered a precise corner kick, which Ibrahima Bamba headed beautifully into the visitors’ net, announcing the equalizer for Al Duhail “The Tornado.”
In the 14th minute, Al Duhail nearly scored again, but a cross from Edmilson passed without being met by Al Duhail strikers, keeping the score tied at 1-1.
In the 24th minute, a superb long pass from defender Tuta reached Algerian forward Adel Boulbina at the edge of the Iranian penalty area. Boulbina skillfully controlled the ball and struck it with his right foot into Sepahan net, putting Al Duhail ahead.
In the 33rd minute, forward Krzysztof Piątek broke through the Iranian defense and scored Al Duhail third goal from a one-on-one opportunity, placing the ball powerfully and skillfully into the net.
In the 40th minute, Bourigeaud almost sealed the game, but his shot hit the crossbar, denying Al Duhail a fourth goal and a larger lead.
In the final minute of the first half, Adel Boulbina nearly scored his second goal and Al Duhail fourth, but his shot went just wide of the post.
The first half ended with Al Duhail leading 3-1.
In the 66th minute, Boulbina again came close to scoring a fourth goal for Al Duhail, but a Sepahan defender blocked his powerful shot before it could reach the net.
In the 72nd minute, the referee disallowed a fourth goal for Al Duhail due to an offside call. In the 76th minute, substitute Mubarak Shanan was close to extending Al Duhail lead, but Sepahan goalkeeper saved his powerful shot and cleared it away.
In the third minute of stoppage time, the visitors managed to score a goal to narrow the gap, making the score 3-2 in favor of Al Duhail.
The final minutes saw no further changes to the score, and the match ended with Al Duhail winning 3-2 and qualifying for the AFC Champions League Elite group stage.
Goal Summary:
- Bamba (12th minute)
- Boulbina (24th minute)
- Piątek (33rd minute)
