DOHA (Qatar): Reigning champions Al Sadd pulled off a last-gasp 1-0 win over Qatar SC in the 21st round at their home ground on Thursday.
Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah struck the winner (90+8 minutes).
Al Sadd now have 44 points, two behind leaders Al Duhail and one less than second-placed Al Rayyan.
The Wolves thus kept their title hopes alive, even though remote.
Al Duhail and Al Rayyan will be in action on Friday, against Al Khor and Al Shahania respectively.
Al Sadd thus exacted a sweet revenge on Qatar SC to whom they had suffered a shock 0-3 loss in the first leg.
Qatar SC remained on 19 points and are still in the danger zone.
Al Sadd, who had registered a 1-0 victory over Al Duhail in the last round, dominated the proceedings with 74 per cent possession in both halves, but Qatar SC managed to restrict them from scoring almost until the stroke of final whistle.
Xavi Hernandez’s wards, without injured Qatar international star forward Akram Afif, showed purpose right from the start, with Bounedjah leading the charge supported by Hassan Al Haydous as well as Nam Tae-Hee, and Jung Woo-Young pulling strings from the middle.
Bounedjah tested Qatar SC goalkeeper Motasem Majed, standing in for injured first choice Jassim Al Hail, in the 15th minute.
For Qatar SC, the duo of Sardor Rashidov and Kayke Rodriguez led the attacks.
Kayke’s shot was parried by Al Sadd goalkeeper Saad Al Dossari in the 39th minute and Al Haydous was off target as the first half ended goalless.
The stalemate continued till deep into stoppage time despite the efforts by Nam, Jung and Bounedjah.
Finally, when the breakthrough came as an unmarked Bounedjah headed in a Rodrigo Tabata corner kick from the left, it turned out to be heartbreak for Qatar SC who also had much at stake, having been in the battle to avoid relegation.
