Al Sadd edge Wydad to clinch Al Ahrar Cup

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 Jas...

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.