Al Rayyan prevailed over Al Shamal 5-4 on penalties after a scintillating 3-3 draw in the Qatar Cup Semifinal at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday.

In the final, Al Rayyan will face Al Sadd, who beat Al Gharafa 2-1 in the first semifinal.

Al Shamal’s Mohamed Ali Ben Ramadan shot his kick over after Al Rayyan goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada had made a fine save earlier during the shootout. Al Shamal goalkeeper Babacar Seck had also made one save but that was not enough for the side to get past Al Rayyan.

Earlier, the two teams were deadlocked 3-3 after a stoppage-time goal from Al Rayyan’s Julien de Sart (90+6 minute). Al Shamal’s Baghdad Bounedjah struck in 90+7 minute, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for an earlier foul leading the match into penalties.

Roger Guedes scored a brace for Al Rayyan (24th minute & 74th penalty) while Wesley Said (64th minute and 27th minute) and Ramadan (54th minute) had scored for Al Shamal.

It was goals galore as both teams played attacking football while severely testing the two goalkeepers. 

Bounedjah’s strike added more drama and thrill for fans before the goal was struck down and penalties were called for.

In the shoot-out, Alex Collado, Nassim Mubarak, Musaab Khidir and Abdelkarim Fadalla scored for Al Shamal, while Fahad Waad and Ramadan missed.

For Al Rayyan, De Sart, Wesley Said, Hisham Ali, Guedes and Andre Amaro scored while Gregore De Magalhaes missed.