Doha: Al Gharafa continued their winning streak with a 2-1 defeat of Al Arabi in the highly anticipated Week 2 match of the 2025-2026 Doha Bank Stars League at Al Rayyan's Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Friday.
According to Qatar News Agency, Kenyan international Michael Olunga drew first blood for Al Arabi when he fired home from close range off a precise diagonal pass from Rodri Sanchez. This early goal set the pace for a competitive match between the two teams.
Joselu later restored parity for Al Gharafa with a brilliant goal off an overhead pass from Aron Gunnarsson. The Spanish striker showcased a masterclass in ball control, fending off two Al Arabi defenders before unleashing a left-footed shot from the left side of the box, equalizing the score.
A crucial moment in the first half was a goal-line clearance by Seydou Sanu in the 35th minute, which prevented what could have been Olunga's second goal of the match. The Al Arabi striker had managed a perfect header from Abdulla Al Sulaiti's cross, but Sanu's intervention kept the score level.
The second half saw Yacine Brahimi securing the lead and eventually the match-winner for Al Gharafa. He scored from a free-kick taken from a difficult angle to the right, earning applause from the entire stadium. Brahimi's contribution was pivotal, and he was subsequently named Player of the Match for his performance.