Michael Olunga once again found the back of the net in a major final, but it was not enough as Al Duhail fell to Al Sadd in a tense Qatar Cup final decided by a penalty shootout at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
The Harambee Stars captain delivered a vital contribution, scoring the opening goal in the 49th minute to put Al Duhail ahead. It was a well-taken finish that raised hopes for his side in what turned out to be a thrilling and emotionally charged contest between two of Qatar’s biggest football clubs.
Al Duhail’s early second-half lead, however, did not last long. Al Sadd drew level in the 63rd minute through Claudinho, who converted from the penalty spot. The equaliser came after a defensive lapse and some pressure from Al Sadd, who began to push forward with greater urgency.
Al Duhail responded almost immediately, regaining the lead just two minutes later when Benjamin Bourigeaud slotted home a brilliant finish. The quick comeback seemed to swing momentum back in their favour, and the team looked poised to secure the trophy.
Yet, Al Sadd once again found a response. With just four minutes left on the clock, Rafa Mujica struck to level the score at 2-2, ensuring the match would head into extra time. Despite the frantic pace and high stakes, neither side could find a winner in the additional 30 minutes, pushing the game into a penalty shootout.
In the nerve-wracking shootout, both sides traded early conversions. However, when Pedro Miguel missed Al Sadd’s fourth penalty, Al Duhail were handed a golden opportunity to seize control of the shootout. Michael Olunga, who had already scored in regular time, stepped up for Al Duhail’s fourth attempt. Unfortunately, he missed his spot kick, a moment that would prove costly for his team.
Al Sadd capitalised on the miss, converting their final penalty and sealing a 4-3 victory in the shootout. The defeat left Olunga visibly dejected, as his effort could have swung the momentum back in his team’s favour. It was a moment of personal and collective heartbreak for the striker and his teammates.
This loss was especially painful as it marked the second major disappointment for Olunga and Al Duhail at the hands of Al Sadd this season. Just a few weeks earlier, Al Duhail missed out on the league title despite a final day win over Al Khor. Olunga had scored the only goal in that match, bringing his season tally to 12 goals. However, Al Sadd’s emphatic 5-0 win over Al Ahli on the same day ensured they clinched the league crown, leaving Al Duhail to settle for second place.
Olunga’s consistent scoring and leadership have been vital for Al Duhail throughout the season, but the campaign ends without silverware. With back-to-back setbacks in the league and the cup, Al Duhail now face questions about how to overcome their Al Sadd hurdle in the seasons to come.
For Olunga, the focus will now shift to international duty and preparing for the next campaign. Despite the disappointment, his influence remains undeniable, and he will be keen to bounce back stronger.
