Summary of the first half
Entertaining match at Jassim Bin Hammad Stadium. Although Al Wakrah took the initiative in the game, it was not enough to finish the first half in the lead. His play on the wings and good pressure to recover the ball led him to create the clearest scoring chances of the first half.
Al Rayyan suffered in all aspects of his game. He did not manage to come out from behind clearly, there was no filter in the midfield to contain his rival and the forward players did not enter the circulation of the game to create dangerous options. Yacine Brahimi was the only one who tried, but without company against the entire rival defense.
Omar Ali opened the scoring in the 39th minute. After a long ball that Benyettou controlled and held, the midfielder came in from behind to finish off hard and open the scoring. The next play, Dala enables Benyettou, Nzonzi tries to cut the pass, but pushes the ball towards his goal, but it hits the post. The striker grabs the rebound and pushes it without resistance.
Lucas Mendes was sent off after a heavy step on Boli and the VAR review. From that play came Al Rayyan’s first goal. James Rodríguez executed the free kick from the side and Nzonzi anticipated everyone to open the scoring. The next play, Karami sent a long ball for Boli to gain speed and finish over the goalkeeper to tie the game.
