Qatar- Al Sailiya clinch Ooredoo Cup title

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) By Fawad Hussain | The Peninsula Al Sailiya yesterday made history when they stunned prefinal favourites Al Rayyan 2-0 to win the Ooredoo Cup, lifting their first-ever major title. Serigne Mbodji (45+2) scored the opening goal with a stunning header, with Iraqi star Mohanad Ali (90th minute) rounding off the victory for Al Sailiya after coming off the bench at the Al Sadd Stadium. The triumph is nothing short of a dream for the Peregrines, who have struggled in the season, and are currently on eighth position in the QNB Stars League (QSL). Interestingly, the Sami Trabelsi-coached side reached the Ooredoo Cup final as their 0-3 defeat to Al Wakrah in the semi-final was reversed by the Disciplinary Committee of Qatar Football Association, after they won an appeal over ineligibility of a Blue Wave player. Yesterday, Al Sailiya, knowing the might of Al Rayyan started with an aggressive approach, which paid them the dividend as The Lions never looked at their best in the title clash. 'We played to win. Our ambitions were high before the final and that culminated in our victory, an ecstatic Trabelsi said after Al Sailiya lifted their maiden Qatar top flight trophy in club's 25-year history. 'Players showed a very good level against Al Rayyan and I am very happy. After this historic victory, we aim to win more events in the future, he added. While fans were not allowed to attend the final due to increasing coronavirus cases, both the teams still produced thrilling display of football in both the halves. Al Sailiya started well and didn't let Al Rayyan take command of the match. However, the Lions made the first attack after Ali Ferydoon won a free-kick near the box, but the danger was averted by Al Sailiya in the fourth minute. The Peregrines came close to scoring in the 10th minute when Tiago Bezerra found Rami Fayez with a cross but the latter's attempt was far from the goal. Al Sailiya continued to raise their level while Al Rayyan looked to keep the ball possession, looking to find gaps. Franck Kom launched a dangerous attack from Al Rayyan, firing on target from edge of the box but Al Sailiya keeper Claude Amine, who was impressive throughout the final yesterday, blocked the attempt. The Peregrines struck the opener when Al Rayyan least expected it as the goal came following a free-kick 25 yards outside the box. Senegalese Mbodji placed himself in a perfect position near the goal and connected Nadir Belhadj's kick with a header by evading his marker to earn lead for Al Sailiya, just before the half-time whistle. Al Rayyan, trailing by a goal, produced a better show in second half making several attacks but Al Sailiya were also impressive in defending yesterday. Al Sailiya thwarted an attack in 63rd minute when Abdulrahman Al Harazi lofted the ball towards Ali Ferydoon, who headed on target from a close range, but Amine made a superb save. Amine, later, also blocked an attempt by Al Rayyan captain Yacine Brahimi, 15 minutes before time. The Lions, desperate to make a comeback in the final, were going all out for an equaliser and Mohanad Ali exploited the situation, blasting a goal in last minute with a clinical strike from the edge of the box to seize win for Al Sailiya. 'We are very happy with this victory. It is a memorable win for Al Sailiya and we would like to dedicate this victory to all our fans, said Mohanad Ali.MENAFN27032021000063011010ID1101818608