Brazilian Ricardinho (in front) scored a goal for Al Rayyan.

DOHA: Al Rayyan and Qatar SC were off to winning starts Saturday as the 2008-09 season of the Qatari League kicked off.

Al Rayyan whipped Al Sailiya 5-2 while Qatar SC edged Al Khor 2-1.

Brazilian Ricardinho scored two goals for the Paulo Autori-led Al Rayyan while individual contributors were Ivory Coast striker Amara Diane, Mostafa Abdi and Adel Lami. Al Sailiya’s new signing from Al Khor Abdoulaye Cissé scored both the goals for the losing side.

Uruguay-born Qatar national team striker Sebastian Soria fired Qatar SC into the lead in the eighth minute but Mohamed Sayed Adnan equalised for Al Khor from the spot in the 19th minute. Brazilian Roger Flores struck the winning goal for Qatar SC in the 35th minute.

Ten teams are vying for the league title which was won by Al Gharafa last season after pipping giants Al Sadd into second place.