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Michael Olunga provided two assists as Al Duhail overcame Al Wakra in the QSL Cup semi final on Friday.
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga delivered a standout performance on Friday evening, providing two crucial assists to guide Al Duhail to a hard-fought 3-1 extra-time victory over nine-man Al Wakra in the QSL Cup semifinal.
The 30-year-old forward, who remains Al Duhail's all-time leading scorer, made his third consecutive start since the international break and once again demonstrated his invaluable contribution to the team’s success.
After a tense goalless first half, Olunga made an immediate impact just two minutes into the second half. Breaking away on a quick counterattack, he deftly held off his defender before setting up Benjamin Bourigeaud, who rifled the ball into the back of the net from just inside the box. The opener was a well-deserved breakthrough for the hosts, who had seen two first-half goals—one by Luis Alberto—overturned by VAR.
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Despite Al Duhail’s dominance, Al Wakra clawed their way back into the match. In the 57th minute, Ricardo Gomes converted a penalty, squeezing his spot-kick past goalkeeper Bautista Burke to level the score.
The game’s intensity escalated late in regulation as Al Wakra were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when Abdelaziz Mitwali received a straight red card. With the game tied at 1-1, the extra period began with Al Duhail capitalizing on their numerical advantage.
Olunga was at the heart of the action once again in the 108th minute. Spotting an opening on the left, he sent a precise pass to Bourigeaud, who managed to beat the goalkeeper from a tight angle, restoring Al Duhail's lead.
Just four minutes later, substitute Ismail Ali Heider sealed the victory. Receiving a pass from Luis Alberto, Heider arrowed his shot into the net, leaving the visitors with no way back. Al Wakra’s frustrations boiled over, culminating in a late red card for Ahmed Fadel as their spirited cup run came to an end.
The win propels Al Duhail into their second QSL Cup final in three years, where they will face Al Arabi on December 20. Olunga, who previously helped his team secure the domestic league title in the 2022-23 season, will now have another opportunity to lift silverware as he continues to solidify his legacy both at the club and on the international stage.
Al Duhail fans will be hoping their talisman can once again deliver the goods in the final, as the team eyes another trophy to cap off a remarkable campaign.
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