Al Shamal got the better of Al Ahli 1-0 in Week 18 of the 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League at the Ahli Stadium on Sunday.

Amjad Attwan scored the all-important goal in the 40th minute.

Al Shamal now have 17 points from as many matches, whereas Al Ahli remained on 21 points from 18 games.

Al Shamal made their intentions clear from the start as they attacked relentlessly, with Yacine Bammou and Ali Olwan leading their charge.

Rabeh Boussafi came close to scoring in the 33rd minute only to see his shot being blocked by Al Ahli goalkeeper Yazan Naim.

Al Ahli had a chance to take the lead early in the game, but the move involving young Oumar Sekou and Sofiane Hanni ended up in offside.

As the half-time neared, a counterattack saw Attwan tap in a cross from the left by Bammou over the head of the goalkeeper. An onrushing Al Ahli defender Eslam Yassein could not effect a goalline save and Al Shamal deservedly went up.

Changing ends, Al Ahli showed more purpose even as Al Shamal adopted a cautious approach.

Olwan came dangerously close to doubling their lead in the 54th minute, but his shot was parried by the rival custodian to concede a corner kick.

Al Shamal goalkeeper Babacar Seck was on hand to thwart whatever threats Al Ahli players posed.

Al Shamal pressed hard and Olwan shot over the bar in the 72nd minute.

Early in stoppage time, Al Shamal substitute Abdulaziz Adel's shot from close was blocked by Yazan Naim.

In the dying minutes, Al Shamal survived many a scare from a desperate Al Ahli to script a crucial victory.

To make matters worse for Al Ahli, defender Hossein Kanaani received a red card towards the end for 'handball'.

Source: Qatar News Agency