Rochdale vs Al-Rayyan SC

Chances were scarce in the opening half-hour in hot, humid conditions at the Pinatar Arena. Al-Rayyan — featuring Serbian international Aleksandar Mitrovic up front — broke the deadlock from the spot after Rochdale right-back Dan Moss was adjudged to have brought down his man with a sliding challenge. Former Corinthians forward Roger Guedes stepped up and chipped a Panenka-style penalty that new goalkeeper Nils Ramming got a hand to but could not keep out.

Ramming was forced off injured moments later, replaced by Trialist B for the remainder of the match.

Head Coach Ian Watson made eight changes at the break, introducing Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Ed Francis, Cian Hayes, Harvey Gilmour, Ian Henderson and Devante Rodney. But the reshuffle suffered a setback within two minutes of the restart when Gilmour's wayward pass was turned into his own net, doubling Al-Rayyan's lead to 2-0.

Rochdale responded well. Ebanks-Landell rose highest to head home Francis' free-kick delivery in the 63rd minute, halving the deficit. Al-Rayyan restored their two-goal cushion 11 minutes later through Brazilian winger Wesley, who cut in from the left and fired into the near post from outside the area.

Gilmour atoned for his earlier misfortune with a fine strike of his own in the 76th minute, taking the ball on the half-turn and whipping a left-footed shot into the bottom corner from distance. The equaliser arrived six minutes later: Francis again delivered from a set-piece, Ebanks-Landell's looping header caused confusion between the Al-Rayyan goalkeeper and a defender, and the ball fell for 41-year-old Henderson, who nodded home from close range.

The full-time whistle sounded with the score level at 3-3.

Watson's eight half-time substitutions could have backfired when an own goal put Rochdale 2-0 down within two minutes of the second half. But the resilience of the reshaped side — particularly the aerial threat from Ebanks-Landell and Francis' delivery from dead balls — turned the game. The set-piece double act produced two of Rochdale's three goals and the framework for the third.

Ethan Ebanks-Landell — The centre-back scored one (63'), created the havoc for Henderson's equaliser (82') and anchored a second-half defence that kept Al-Rayyan quiet after the 74th minute.

Harvey Gilmour — An unfortunate own goal off his wayward pass (47') was followed by a polished left-footed finish from outside the box (76') to make amends.

Ian Henderson — At 41, the veteran striker continues to be in the right place. His 82nd-minute close-range header capped the comeback.

Ed Francis — Two assists from set-piece deliveries, both pinpoint free-kicks that created the first and third Rochdale goals.

The provider payload registers six goals across a 22-minute second-half spell (match-time 47'-67'), reflecting the frantic pace after the break. The first half produced only one goal — Guedes' penalty — and chances were few and far between per the Rochdale match report. No cards were issued in a clean, good-natured friendly. Al-Rayyan's two-goal spells were erased by Rochdale's set-piece efficiency: both Francis free-kicks led directly to goals.

The draw is a creditable result for Rochdale (League Two, 2026-27) against a Qatar Stars League side boasting international-quality talent. It follows their opening pre-season friendly — a 2-0 win at FC United of Manchester on 14 July. Watson's side next face Farnham Town at home on 25 July, before hosting FC Halifax Town on 28 July. Al-Rayyan continue their own pre-season preparations ahead of the 2026-27 QSL campaign.

A tale of two halves: Al-Rayyan controlled the first through their quality in possession, but Rochdale's second-half response — driven by set-piece precision and a never-say-down attitude — was the more impressive statement from a League Two side building towards the new season. The central defensive partnership of Ebanks-Landell and Francis, combined with Gilmour's energy in midfield, offers Watson encouraging signs with two weeks to go until the Tranmere Rovers Carabao Cup tie on 1 August.