Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Šamorín came from behind to beat Al-Gharafa 2-1 in a pre-season friendly, with Simporé scoring an 85th-minute winner after Marek's equaliser cancelled out the Qatari side's early opener.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
Al-Gharafa struck first in the 10th minute, taking an early lead against the Slovak second-division side at what appeared to be the X-Bionic training complex near Bratislava. The Qatari side, midway through their European training camp, controlled the opening exchanges.
Šamorín responded through Giuliano Marek, who levelled in the 20th minute. The defender turned scorer to restore parity before half-time, and the teams went into the break at 1-1.
The second half was a tighter affair, with both sides making changes to test their squad depth. The match appeared to be drifting towards a draw until the 85th minute, when Burkina Faso midfielder S. Simporé struck the winner for Šamorín, completing the turnaround.
The turning point
Simporé's 85th-minute goal, arriving with only five minutes of normal time remaining, denied Al-Gharafa a share of the spoils in their second pre-season match of the Slovakia camp. The timing — late enough that a response was unlikely — gave Šamorín a scalp against a side that had won the Amir Cup in May.
Key performers
G. Marek (Šamorín) — The defender's 20th-minute equaliser steadied Šamorín after the early setback and shifted momentum back towards the home side.
S. Simporé (Šamorín) — The Burkina Faso midfielder's late winner was the decisive moment, converting what was likely one of few clear chances in a tight second half.
Ferjani Sassi (Al-Gharafa) — The Tunisian midfielder was reportedly involved in the build-up to Al-Gharafa's opener and was the visitors' most influential presence in midfield (source: Alkass English).
Player of the match: S. Simporé (Šamorín)
By the numbers
The provider data shows a 2-1 full-time scoreline (HT 1-1) with all three goals arriving in open play and no cards issued — typical of a mid-pre-season friendly where both sides prioritised minutes over intensity. The 10th-minute opener gave Al-Gharafa an early platform, but Šamorín's response through Marek within 10 minutes suggested the Slovak side carried greater threat on the day.
What it means
Šamorín, who play in the Slovak 2. Liga, continue their pre-season preparations and face OFK Dynamo Malženice on 25 July 2026 in their next competitive warm-up. Al-Gharafa remain in Slovakia for the remainder of their camp, which runs until 3 August at the X-Bionic Hotel in Bratislava. They are scheduled to face Slovak top-flight side AS Trenčín on 22 July before returning to Doha to complete preparations for the Qatar Stars League season, which kicks off on 20 August.
Verdict
A creditable result for Šamorín against a technically accomplished Qatari side. Al-Gharafa, under head coach Pedro Martins, showed early promise but will want to address defensive lapses that allowed two goals — particularly the late winner — as they build towards the QSL season. Šamorín's resilience in coming from behind will encourage their coaching staff ahead of the 2. Liga campaign.
Match Events
Key match events between Šamorín and Al-Gharafa — 3 goals and 0 cards recorded during the match.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 21 Jul 2026