Doha, February 20 (QNA) - Qatar SC secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over Al Shahania on Friday at Al Khor Stadium in the opening match of Week 16 of the Doha Bank Stars League.

Naif Hadhrami, Ahmed Rawi, Faiz Selemani and Brazilian striker Joao Pedro were all on target for Qatar SC, scoring in the 57th, 68th, 69th and 90+1 minutes respectively. Al Shahania's goals came from Ivorian forward Abdoulaye Traore (24'), Lotfi Madjer (45+1') and Mohammed Badr Sayyar, who converted from close range after a saved penalty in the 82nd minute.

The win marks Qatar SC's second victory in their last three matches, lifting them to 24 points and temporarily into fifth place. Al Shahania, meanwhile, suffered a third consecutive defeat and remain bottom of the table with 11 points.

Al Shahania were the sharper side early on, combining defensive discipline with effective attacking play. Traore fired narrowly wide in the 10th minute before Jawad El Yamiq sent an effort over the bar six minutes later.

Their dominance was rewarded in the 24th minute when Madjer set up Traore, who finished confidently to give Al Shahania the lead.

Al Shahania continued to threaten and were initially awarded a penalty following a challenge on Dutch defender Van Beek, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review in the 30th minute.

Qatar SC gradually improved, especially in attack. Ibrahim Massoud came close to equalizing in the 39th minute, only to see his low drive strike the post. Al Shahania responded with a swift counterattack, as Madjer delivered a cross that Badr Sayyar headed against the crossbar in the 43rd minute.

In stoppage time of the first half, Al Shahania doubled their advantage. Traore broke through the Qatar SC defense and squared the ball to Madjer, who finished from close range in the 45+1 minute to give his side a 2-0 halftime lead.

Qatar SC emerged for the second half with renewed urgency. They pulled one back in the 57th minute when Hadhrami converted after Joao Pedro's initial effort was blocked by the defense.

Momentum shifted quickly. Substitute Rawi leveled the score in the 68th minute with a powerful strike after a defensive clearance fell kindly to him. Just a minute later, Comorian forward Faiz Selemani completed the turnaround with a long-range effort that the Al Shahania goalkeeper could not keep out, putting Qatar SC 3-2 ahead.

Al Shahania pressed for an equalizer and were awarded a penalty after Ali Saudi fouled Dutch forward Bertus Amerfoort. Although the goalkeeper saved the initial spot kick, Badr Sayyar reacted quickest to convert the rebound in the 82nd minute.

With the match seemingly headed for a draw, Joao Pedro struck in stoppage time. The Brazilian latched onto a through ball behind the defense and calmly slotted home in the 90+1 minute, sealing a thrilling 4-3 win for Qatar SC in a pulsating Week 16 encounter. (QNA)