Al Ahli fought back from a goal down to beat Al Wakrah 2-1 in Week 1 of the 2020-21 season QNB Stars League at the Al Ahli Stadium on Friday.

Khalid Muneer took Al Wakrah ahead in the 25th minute, but Al Ahli replied through Omid Ebrahimi (38th minute) and Nabil El Zhar (51st-minute penalty).

Al Wakrah had more of the ball and chances, but they lacked in finishing.

On the other hand, Al Ahli were more pragmatic in their approach and reaped the rewards for it.

Khalid Muneer found the target with an opportunistic strike when Al Ahli goalkeeper Ivanildo Rodrigues fumbled with collecting Jassim Ali Al Hashimi’s cross from the left.

Omid helped The Brigadiers draw level by slotting the ball home following a corner kick from Nabil El Zhar.

Nabil struck what turned out to be the winner when he converted a penalty, awarded for a foul by Murad Naji on Hazem Shehata.

It was a face-off between sides of invariably equal strength.

Al Ahli, who could end up only ninth in the 2019-20 season QNB Stars League, are targeting a better finish this time around. So they will be happy with the three points they bagged at the start.

Al Ahli have the technical stability, as Montenegrin coach Nebojsa Jovovic and his staff are continuing with the team.

Al Wakrah had punched above their weight to finish sixth last season. It was a creditable achievement, given that they were playing in the top flight after a gap of two seasons.

Even though The Blue Wave could not get a winning start to their campaign in the new season, they will be keen to put up a repeat performance or more.

Al Wakrah, coached by Spaniard Marquez Lopez this season as well, have the potential to spring surprises, just like they shocked Al Sadd by a 2-1 margin in Week 12 of the 2019-20 QNB Stars League.

Source