DOHA (Interstat) — Qatar U23 scored twice after halftime and held off Muaither SC for a 2-1 victory in a Second Division match at Grand Hamad Stadium on Thursday.

Qatar U23 improved to 1-0 in the competition and 1-1-2 across all competitions. Muaither SC fell to 0-1 in the competition and 2-3 overall. The result gave Qatar U23 its first win of the season in the league while denying Muaither SC a positive start to its Second Division campaign.

After a tight, scoreless first half, Qatar U23 broke through in the 53rd minute. The visitors kept pressing and doubled their advantage in the 69th minute. Muaither SC responded in the 78th minute, cutting the deficit to one goal and setting up a tense final stretch. The home side pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but Qatar U23 managed the closing minutes and protected the lead.

Neither team found a goal before the break, and the first half ended without a score. Qatar U23 then took control early in the second half. The match unfolded at Grand Hamad Stadium, where Qatar U23 made the most of its chances after the break. Muaither SC had moments of possession and created pressure late, but the early second-half goals proved decisive. Qatar U23’s defense held firm over the final stages, and the visitors left with three points in the competition.

Qatar U23 entered the match after a 1-1 draw at Al-Waab, a 0-2 loss at Al Bidda and a 1-1 draw at Umm-Salal. Muaither SC came in following a 1-2 loss at Shamal, a 1-0 win at Al Gharafa B, a 5-1 win over Al Rayyan B and a 0-1 loss at Mesaimeer SC. Qatar U23 had two draws and one loss in its previous three matches. Muaither SC had two wins and two losses in its previous four.

The competition record for Qatar U23 now stands at 1-0, while Muaither SC sits at 0-1. Across all competitions, Qatar U23 is 1-1-2, and Muaither SC is 2-3. The teams are scheduled to meet again in the Second Division later in the season. Qatar U23 also has upcoming Second Division matches against Markhiya SC, Al Khor, Mesaimeer SC, Al Kharaitiyat, Al Shamal B, Al Rayyan B, Al Gharafa B and Al Shamal B. Muaither SC’s coming schedule includes Al Shamal B, Al Bidda, Al-Waab, Al Khor, Markhiya SC, Al Kharaitiyat, Umm-Salal and Markhiya SC.

Qatar U23’s victory came in a match that remained balanced until the second half. The visitors scored at the 53rd and 69th minutes, while Muaither SC answered at the 78th. The home team’s late goal gave the crowd hope, but Qatar U23 did enough to secure the win. Muaither SC continued to search for a breakthrough in the final minutes, but the equalizer did not arrive. Muaither SC’s goal in the 78th minute changed the complexion of the match, forcing Qatar U23 to defend deeper and absorb pressure. Qatar U23’s win came despite Muaither SC’s late surge, which included several attacking moves in the final 12 minutes.

The result marked Qatar U23’s first win in the competition this season and left Muaither SC still looking for its first points in the league. Muaither SC had won two of its previous four matches across all competitions before the loss, while Qatar U23 had drawn two and lost one. The match added another chapter to a busy stretch for both clubs. The teams will meet again in the Second Division, giving Muaither SC a chance for revenge and Qatar U23 an opportunity to build momentum.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Qatar U23 3, Muaither SC 2. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Muaither SC with a 57.7 percent probability to win. Qatar U23 had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 3 went under the over/under line of 2.5.