Doha, Qatar: Al Duhail overcame a battling Al Shahania 3-1 victory to maintain their four-point lead at the top of the Qatar Stars League table on Thursday.
Duhail scored through Han Kwang-Song in the fourth minute, Karim Boudiaf (50th minute) and Paulo Edmilson (81st minute) to move on to 39 points.
Ahmed Akaichi had put Shahania briefly back in the match with an equaliser in the 36th minute but they now stay rooted to the bottom with nine points.
Al Rayan stayed second on 35 points after beating Al Ahli 1-0, thanks to Yacine Brahimi's penalty in the 69th minute.
At Al Duhail Stadium, the home side took the lead in the fourth minute. Edmilson outwitted his marker in the penalty area before finding Han, who took one touch and drilled the ball into the corner.
The lead was nearly doubled ten minutes later when Al Ahrak found Edmilson with a square pass, but the Brazilian hit the woodwork from close range.
Al Shahania had applied pressure of their own and were rewarded with a VAR reviewed spot-kick for a foul on Nigel de Jong, from which Ramin Rezaien could only strike the post.
The warning signs were there and Al Shahania finally equalised when De Jong’s cross was flicked on by Alvaro Perez, with Akaichi connecting sweetly with a volley to bring the scores level.
A marginally-rattled Al Duhail came out for the second half with a renewed burst of energy. They were quickly back in front as Al Ahrak was once again the provider, with Boudiaf collecting his pass from the left and planting his shot inside the far post.
The league leaders were in full control by this point and were too strong for Al Shahania. They were able to settle the match late on as Assim Madibo’s perfectly-timed ball over the top of the defence was met by Edmilson, who cutely lobbed the keeper with the outside of his right foot to cap an impressive performance.
Source: dohastadiumplusqatar.com