Al Gharafa SC edged Al Shahaniya SC 2-1, a result that came despite an early deficit in the contest. Gharafa opened the scoring at 22:57, taking a 1-0 lead, while Shahaniya levelled just before halftime at 48:05. The decisive moment arrived in the second half when Gharafa struck again at 01:31:23 to restore their lead and secure the win.

The data shows a modest edge for Gharafa in set-piece activity with 5 corners to Shahaniya’s 3, signalling more repeated threats from wide positions and crosses. Shahaniya pressed with ambition but their five offside calls suggest timing issues in their forward runs, which curtailed sustained offensive pressure. Overall, Gharafa capitalised on their wing-work and set-piece opportunities to tilt the match in their favour.

Discipline factors also shaped the encounter, with Shahaniya committing 12 fouls to Gharafa’s 7, indicating a more aggressive approach from the visitors. Both sides recorded two yellow cards, all in the first half, with no reds issued, which helped maintain a fairly competitive tempo into the second period. The balance of cautions likely allowed Gharafa to preserve composure and execute the winning moment without further disruption.

Defensively, Gharafa managed to withstand Shahaniya’s late pressure and protect the slender lead after the break. Shahaniya’s higher foul count and offside rate point to a plan built around rapid forays that didn’t fully translate into decisive chances. The combination of tighter ball retention by Gharafa and Shahaniya’s timing errors in the final third underpinned the home side’s ability to close out the win.

For bettors, the match underscored the value of home-set-piece structure and wing play, given Gharafa’s 5 corners and the late winning goal from second-half pressure. Shahaniya appear to require sharper timing in forward runs and better discipline to avoid conceding from repeat set-piece situations. Going forward, Gharafa may continue to lean on counter-pressing and crosses from wide areas as a recurring route to goals.

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