Kenya international Michael Olunga was among the goals as Al Duhail SC kicked off their Qatar Stars League title defence with a 2-1 victory against Al Ahli on Friday.
In the fixture at Al Thumama Stadium, Olunga, who finished last season as the top scorer with 24 goals, started from where he left after notching the opener in the 22nd minute before Ibrahim Diallo made it 2-0 in the 48th minute. Islam Yannine then pulled a goal back for Al Hilal in the 54th minute but Duhail held on for victory.
The former Gor Mahia striker should have scored early in the game but his glancing header went inches off a cross from the right wing. However, in the 22nd minute, Olunga found himself at the right place to tap in a cross from Almoez Ali.
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Duhail coach Hernan Crespo attributed the team’s opening victory to how his players possessed the ball by saying: “It is good that we win in our first match, we started the match very well with possession and imposing our way of playing,” adding: “It is not easy to show such style of play with a new group of players who arrived here a few weeks ago, but we managed to do it in some moments of the game where we had several chances to score the third goal before they reduced the deficit.”
Duhail finds themselves in position two in the first match week following wins by Al Wakrah and Al Rayyan with Al Sadd, who gave Duhail a run of their money last campaign in the title race, having a date against Um Salal later on. Olunga and Duhail will return to league action on Friday against Muaither at Khalifa International Stadium.