Doha: Goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham was the hero as Al Sadd edged Wydad Athletic Club 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to clinch the Al Ahrar Cup at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Sunday.
Qatari playmaker Akram Afif handed Al Sadd the lead in their first match of the new season, converting a penalty in the 56th minute, before substitute Hamza El Wasti equalised for the Moroccan side in the 67th minute.
Al Sadd converted all five of their penalties in the shootout, with veteran Hassan Al Haydos, Claudinho, Guilherme Torres, Boualem Khouki and debutant Agustin Soria finding the net.
Wydad also scored four times from the spot, but Barsham saved their final attempt, diving to his right to seal the triumph for the Wolves. Al Sadd’s marquee signing, Roberto Firmino, did not feature in the starting line-up but fellow new arrivals Pau Prim and Uruguayan midfielder Soria were included in head coach Felix Sanchez’s first eleven.
The match began evenly, with both sides enjoying periods of possession and creating half-chances.
Afif tried his luck from distance, but his powerful effort sailed over the crossbar.
Wydad responded with a dangerous spell of their own. In the 25th minute, Pedro Miguel made a crucial block to deny Stephane Aziz Ki a clear scoring opportunity.
Amine Aboulfath fired wide, while Abdelghafour Lamirat sent his effort from outside the box well over, as both sides failed to break the deadlock before the half-time whistle.
Barsham made back-to-back saves early in the second half, blocking shots from Aziz Ki and Nordin Amrabat as the tempo increased.
Al Sadd got the breakthrough when Youcef Atal was brought down by Mohamed Rayhi, with the referee instantly pointing to the spot.
Afif made no mistake, beating goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid with a clinical low shot into the right corner.
The lead, however, was short-lived, as El Wasti equalised from close range, heading in a fine chip from Amrabat.
Benabid made a brilliant diving save to deny a strike from Al Haydos from outside the box as Al Sadd pushed for a late winner before the match went to penalties.
Al Sadd will begin their Qatar Stars League title defence against Qatar SC on August 16 at the same venue.
