In an intense Qatar Stars League matchup, Al Ahli Doha clinched a slim 1-0 victory over Al Gharafa SC. The sole goal came early in the first half, within the first 16 minutes. This early breakthrough set the pace of the match, forcing Al Gharafa to chase the game from the outset. Al Ahli's ability to maintain this slim lead under heavy pressure was crucial to their win.

Al Ahli Doha's defensive resilience was put to the test, as evidenced by their five yellow cards, a clear indicator of their scrappy, no-nonsense approach to protect their lead. On the other hand, Al Gharafa SC, who committed three yellow card offenses, were less punitive but this lack of aggressive disruption might have affected their ability to break down Al Ahli's defensive lines. Both teams managed to stay disciplined enough to avoid red cards, although the match teetered on the edge of devolving into a card-fest.

Corner kicks were an essential part of Al Gharafa’s game, with six to their name compared to Al Ahli's three. This stat suggests Al Gharafa had more set-piece opportunities, making their failure to capitalize on these chances a significant factor in their defeat. The fact that Al Ahli was caught offside only once reflects their discipline in holding shape and disrupting Al Gharafa's rhythm.

Al Ahli’s tactical substitutions played a role in maintaining their defensive structure. Though specific substitution data is not provided, it can be inferred that strategic changes, especially under the pressure of multiple yellow cards, helped stabilize the team. It's apparent that Al Ahli's effective game management and teamwork under relentless pressure from a high-corner-kick scenario were pivotal in securing their narrow victory.

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