DOHA (Qatar): Qatar international Hassan Al Haidous scored the all-important goal as reigning Qatar Stars League champions Al Sadd beat Al Ahli at the Al Janoub Stadium on Monday.
Al Haidous found the target in the 43rd minute as Sadd took their points tally to 38 points.
But they are eight adrift of leaders Al Duhail and four less than second-placed Al Rayyan, who drew goalless with Al Arabi on Saturday.
Sadd had beaten Al Ahl, who remained on 19 points, 2-1 in the first leg.
Sadd, who had beaten Al Khor 2-1 in the previous week, dominated the proceedings and created more chances than Al Ahli, who had lost 1-3 to Al Shahania in Week 18.
Al Sadd’s Baghdad Bounedjah was thwarted by Al Ahli goalkeeper Ivanildo Rodrigues as early as the fourth minute, while Al Ahli’s Hernan Perez had a goal disallowed for offside in the 12th minute.
Even though Al Haydous shot over the bar in the 25th minute, the Qatar national team captain was not to be denied late into the first half as he was assisted by Hashim Ali in what turned out to be the winning goal.
Al Sadd’s Jung Woo-Young then had his free-kick blocked by the goalkeeper.
Both teams had opportunities in the second session, but Al Sadd hung on to win.
New recruit Rodrigo Tabata came in for Al Haydous and their team-mate Abdulaziz Al Ansari’s shot was blocked by Ivanildo, whereas Hernan missed a chance in the 65th minute after being blocked by goalkeeper Saad Al Dossari and sent a shot wide of the target late on.
