DOHA, Qatar (Interstat) — A second-half header from Ismail Mohamad proved decisive as Al Duhail opened its Stars League campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Qatar SC on Sunday at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.

The match, a tightly contested Qatar Derby in the nation’s top flight, was decided by a single moment of quality in the 55th minute. Mohamad, the Al Duhail midfielder, rose to meet a pinpoint cross from defender Sultan Al Brake, directing his header past the Qatar SC goalkeeper for what stood as the game-winner.

The goal came after a first half that saw few clear chances but growing tension. Qatar SC defender Bassam Al Rawi received the match’s first yellow card in the 40th minute for a tactical foul. The physical nature of the contest escalated just before halftime, with Al Duhail substitute Yan Matheus also booked in the 46th minute.

Mohamad’s breakthrough altered the complexion of the match, sparking a flurry of disciplinary actions. Al Brake, the provider of the assist, was cautioned just three minutes after the goal in the 58th minute. Al Duhail’s Italian midfielder Marco Verratti followed with a yellow card a minute later. Qatar SC substitute Serigne Fallou Diouf joined them in the referee’s book in the 63rd minute.

The visitors’ task grew immensely more difficult in the 85th minute when defender Bassam Al Rawi, already on a yellow card, was shown a second caution and sent off. Playing a man down for the final minutes, Qatar SC could not muster an equalizer against a disciplined Al Duhail defense.

The result defied the pre-match projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a higher-scoring 2-1 victory for Al Duhail. The firm’s ELO rating system had given the home side an 86.5 percent probability to win, a figure that ultimately proved accurate, if not reflective of the slim margin of victory.

With the win, Al Duhail begins its Stars League season with a perfect record of one win and no losses, a mark that also stands as its record across all competitions this season. Qatar SC, meanwhile, starts with a defeat, holding a record of no wins and one loss both in the league and overall.

The match was characterized more by defensive organization and midfield battles than sustained attacking fluency, with the lone goal standing as the critical difference. Al Duhail managed to secure the three points despite a contest that saw six yellow cards and one red issued by the officiating crew.

Both teams will look to build on this result as the Qatari top-flight season continues, with Al Duhail taking early momentum from a hard-fought derby win.