Al Rayyan, Al Sailiya play out 1-1 draw

Bottom-placed side Al Sailiya yesterday shared points with former champions Al Rayyan following a 1-1 draw in their QNB Stars League (QSL) Round 18 match played at Al Ahli Stadium.

Carlos Strandberg’s 70th minute strike put the Sami Trabelsi-coached Al Sailiya ahead before Ivorian Yohan Boli’s 76th minute equalizer for Al Rayyan, who have won the Falcon Shield honours on eight previous occasions.

The draw, Al Sailiya’s fifth of the season, raised their points tally to eight while struggling Al Rayyan made it 18 points.

Al Sailiya have won only one game this season’s QSL and have lost 12 matches while Al Rayyan hover at in the ninth position, having won four matches, losing seven while sharing points on six occasions. 

Al Rayyan have a game in hand as their Week 14 match against reigning champions Al Sadd was postponed.

Both Al Sailiya and Al Rayyan were both coming off defeats and desperate for points, the former to avoid relegation and the latter to improve their position.

Al Rayyan could have won the game had it not been for the alertness of the Al Sailiya defenders and goalkeeper Claude Amine.

Al Sailiya were forced to retreat and rely on counter-attacks. And one such quick move earned them the lead, with new recruit Strandberg finding the mark.

Al Rayyan pressed almost all of their players into attack and soon equalised through Boli. The game’s last minutes witnessed hectic action, with both teams seeking a breakthrough, but for another goal.

Elsewhere, at Al Khor Stadium, the hosts and Al Gharafa also shared points after scoring one goal each.

Following a goalless first half, Al Gharafa took the lead in the 52nd minute through Algerian Sofiane Hani.

Al Naji Al Sadiq scored the equaliser for Al Khor in the 72nd minute. The draw took Al Gharafa points tally to 27 while Al Khor reached 12 points.

The day’s only win was recorded by Al Ahli who staged a brilliant comeback to overcome Al Arabi 3-2 at Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium. With three valuable points, Al Ahli raised their tally to 23 points as Al Arabi’s balance remained at 26 points.

Al Arabi took an early lead through goals from Tunisian star Youssef Msakni (4’) and a spot kick from Aaron Boupendza (15’) before Al Ahly’s Yazan Al Naimat (24’), Sofiane Bouftini (33’) and Jose Pozo (79’) guided their side to victory.