DOHA (Qatar): Baghdad Bounedjah starred with two goals Al Sadd retained the 2021 Qatar Cup by beating Al Duhail in the final on Friday.
The star striker scored in the ninth and 77th minutes respectively.
Sadd won their second title after it was relaunched under its present name in 2014. The Wolves had won it in 2017 as well.
Incidentally, Al Sadd had beaten Al Duhail in the final of 2020 edition.
HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, crowned the champions.
Bounedjah’s first goal came off a bicycle kick. Santi Cazorla assisted him for the second.
As expected, in-form Al Sadd dominated the match, but Al Duhail would lament the missed chances in the second half that cost them dear.
Al Sadd looked to take control of the game in the beginning and they did not have to wait much for a goal, with Bounedjah producing a brilliant goal-scoring display to take his team ahead.
Captain Hassan Al Haydous’ throw reached Nam Tae-Hee near the penalty area and the South Korean’s attempt was rebounded from a defender, giving opportunity to Bounedjah to strike a first-time overhead kick from close range.
The consistent striker was accurate in his attempt, giving no chance to Al Duhail goalkeeper Salah Zakaria, who saw the ball sailing in his right corner.
In the 24th minute, Paulo Edmilson Junior made a slick run beating Abdelkarim Hassan in the process, but his shot from outside the box was far from target.
Al Sadd enjoyed 62 per cent possession after the first half, but most of the action remained in the middle. (Source: QSL)
