Match Report
The table gap was wide: 17 points between Al Shamal SC (3rd, 37 pts) and Umm-Salal SC (12th, 20 pts). The last five rounds placed Al Shamal SC no better than 11th for form, against 3rd in the standings. Against a league average of 1.66 goals per team per game, Al Shamal SC ran at 1.64 scored and 1.36 conceded, Umm-Salal SC at 1.68 and 2.55.
Umm-Salal SC had not lost in 7 games.
9 previous meetings sit in the GioScore records — Al Shamal SC 3, draws 1, Umm-Salal SC 5, at 4.33 goals per meeting. Home advantage has meant little here: 33% of the meetings went to the host. Three-plus goals is the norm here, arriving in 78% of the meetings, and both sides scored in 56%.
The match was played at Al-Khwar Stadium (capacity 45,857). On the scoreboard, Al Shamal SC led 2-0 at the break; 3 second-half goals set the final 3-2.
Goal scorers
Al Shamal SC: Omid Ebrahimi (6'), Baghdad Bounedjah (45'), Álex Collado (59') · Umm-Salal SC: Yamaan Jarrar (83'), Antonio Mance (75')
Key stats
Possession: Al Shamal SC 56% · Umm-Salal SC 44% · Total shots: 15-8 · On target: 6-3 · Corners: 5-4