Al Wakra’s Anouar Diba ( in blue) and Umm Salal’s Adan Ali Aden (left) vie for the ball during their Qatar Star League clash at Al Arabi Stadium yesterday.Umm Salal won 3-2. RIGHT: Al-Sadd’s Raul (left) of Spain celebrates with team-mate Wissam Rizk after scoring a goal against Al Rayyan at Al Rayyan SC Stadium. Al Sadd won 4-1 to maintain their perfect record in QSL. PICTURES BY: ABDUL BASIT
DOHA: Captain Raul of Spain and Lee Jung-Soo of Korea yesterday produced sublime goals to guide points leaders Al Sadd to their sixth win in the Qatar Stars League (QSL).
The former Real Madrid star produced a goal off a direct free-kick in the 78th minute after the Korean defender had deflected a volley a few meters from the Al Rayyan goal-line as Al Sadd won 4-1 in the away clash.
Earlier, Hassan Al Haydos (11) gave the winners the lead in the tense clash marred by numerous infringements and clashes on the pitch. In the dying moments, substitute Youssef Ahmed added one in extra time (90 + 2).
For Al Rayyan, the only goal was scored by Nilmar in the second half.
In other matches yesterday, Maher Yusuf produced a star act as Umm Salal edged past Al Wakra 3-2 while Qatar SC picked up three key points with a 2-1 win over Al Kharaitiyat.
Al Sadd grabbed the lead when Khalfan Ibrahim chipped in a neat ball for Al Haydos to deflect home from close range in just the 11th minute.
After dodging relentless attacks from Al Sadd in the first half, Al Rayyan equalised through Brazilian import Nilmar who headed home for his team’s only goal in the 53rd minute.
Three minutes later, Al Sadd fans celebrated for the second time, thanks to Jung-Soo.
Midfielder Nadir Belhadj curled in a neat ball for Jung-Soo, who clipped one past Al Rayyan goalkeeper for his side’s second spectacular strike.
Twelve minutes from time, Raul made the most of a free-kick after teammate and striker Mamadouh Niang was brought down near the Al Rayyan box with a reckless tackle.
Al Sadd have 18 points from 6 QSL matches. Coached by Hussein Amute, the Doha giants are unbeaten this season.
Al Rayyan, coached by Diego Aguirre, have 10 points from 6 matches. Aguirre’s side has gone three matches without a win after launching the new season with three consecutive wins.
At Al Arabi Stadium yesterday, Yusuf scored two goals, one in the 87th minute, to help his side pick up three key points.
In the first half, Yusuf found the net in the 33rd minute which was followed by a goal from Walid Mohuiddin in the 73rd minute.
For Al Wakra, both the goals were scored by Younis Mahmood (13 and 22, penalty).
Mahmood has scored six goals for his side in the first six matches this season. Coached by Mehmed Bazdarevich, Al Wakra have 11 points from six points.
Umm Salal, who posted just their second win of the season yesterday, have 8 points from 6 fixtures.
In an earlier clash Al Rayyan Stadium, Qatar SC picked up points with a 2-1 win over Al Kharaitiyat yesterday.
Hadi Aghily (81) and Mohammed Omar (83) scored two late goals to help Qatar SC post their second win of the season.
For Al Kharaitiyat, Alain Dioko Kaluyituka scored his side’s only goal in the 61st minute.
Qatar SC, coached by Sebastiao Lazaroni, have 8 points from 6 matches.
Al Kharaitiyat, still without a win this season, are at the bottom of the table with a tally of just three points.
QSL action resumes on November 18. THE PENINSULA
