Author: Vishwajit Sawant
In an impressive debut for Al Duhail in the Qatar Stars League, Brazilian soccer sensation Philippe Coutinho showed his immense talent by making a significant impact on the pitch. On Thursday (28), Coutinho, wearing the number 9 shirt, played a key role in his team’s 2-1 win over Al Markhiya, getting fans and pundits excited.
Coutinho, on loan from Aston Villa until the end of the 2023/24 season, wasted no time in making himself felt under the guidance of Argentinian legend Hernán Crespo.
The narrative of the game unfolded quickly when Coutinho, in the first 15 minutes, received the ball in midfield and began a dazzling run through the opposition defense, leaving two defenders behind before being fouled inside the area. The referee awarded a penalty, which Olunga calmly converted to put Al Duhail in the lead.
However, Al Markhiya responded with determination, equalizing through Fettouhi just ten minutes later, setting the stage for a competitive encounter.
It was in the first half of extra time that Coutinho was once again the center of attention. His magic touch was on full display when he stepped up to take a free-kick that would ultimately seal the fate of the game with a breathtaking goal.
With this crucial win, Al Duhail moved up to third place in the league standings, trailing leaders Al Saad by just three points. Coutinho’s debut has raised hopes and expectations among Al Duhail fans, who are eagerly awaiting more magical moments from the Brazilian maestro during his time in Qatar.