QNB Stars League holders Al Duhail effectively lost the services of key player Ismail Mohammed till the end of this season after he sustained a double fracture on his left leg during their 3-0 Week 1 victory over promoted Al Shahania at the Khalifa International Stadium on Sunday.

Ismail was fouled in the 52nd minute by Al Shahania’s Nadir Awadh, who received a straight red card from referee Salman Falahi for the offence, and had to be taken to the Hamad hospital where he was operated upon.

The forward is expected to be back in action only after a long recovery period.

Meanwhile, Al Duhail’s Karim Boudiaf underwent a surgery at Qatar’s orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital Aspetar. The midfielder had suffered a knee injury during their Sheikh Jassim Cup loss to Al Rayyan.

Al Duhail Sports Club General Manager Adnan Al Ali and Media Officer Mohammed Bashir Al Sulaiti visited Boudiaf at the hospital and wished him a speedy recovery. Other members of the team also wished him well.