Al Sadd's captain Xavi Hernandez (right) vies for the ball against a Lekhwiya player during their Qatar Stars League match played at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium yesterday. Lekhwiya won 2-1 to stay on top of the points table.
Qatar Stars League table leaders Lekhwiya widened the gap between themselves and second placed Al Sadd Sports Club with a thrilling 2-1 win at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium yesterday.
Lekhwiya's South Korean star Nam Tae Hee earned themselves the much needed lead in the 16th minute while Al Sadd bounced back in the 27th minute through a goal from Ali Assad.
The game was heading for a one-all draw till the last few minutes, but Mohamad Moosa assured the former champions full points with a brilliant strike in the 89th minute.
With yesterday's win, Lekhwiya are five points clear at the top, having accumulated 42 points from 16 games.
Earlier, a brilliant double by Al Rayyan skipper Rodrigo Tabata helped his team brush aside Al Sailiyah 4-0 in their 16th game of the season.
Star of the night, captain Tabata grabbed a brace to ensure it was a comfortable evenings work for the reigning QSL champions, who were no match for their opponents in yesterday's game.
Tabata's men took an early lead on the eighth minute when a deep cross was swung into the box which was flicked by Sebastian Soria into the path of Sergio Garcia who was in the right place at the right time to curl the ball past Gregory Gomis for his sixth goal of the season.
Sami Trabelsi’s side settled and could of levelled the tie had in form attacker Mohammed Muddather’s surging run and shot not hit the post in what was to register the Perigrines first chance of the match. The young attacker was also set to have a say in the second goal of the match moments later.
Al Rayyan doubled their score 20 minutes later, thanks to a free-kick from Rodrigo Tabata, which took a hefty deflection off the head of Mohammed Muddather before finding its way into the back of the net.
In the second half, Al Rayyan began to dominate and hit the woodwork with Sergio Garcia smacking a close range shot which rattled the crossbar. Al Sailiyah were far from out of the tie, and came to close to pulling a goal back when midfielder Sayaf Al Korbi worked a shot from a tight angle which went just wide. Gregory Gomis kept Sailiyah in the tie with two fine reaction saves to deny Sebastian Soria and Sergio Garcia. However, Soria won a penalty on the hour mark and captain Tabata made no mistake in sweeping the ball into the net for his ninth goal of the season.
Nine minutes later Al Rayyan put the tie beyond doubt with a well taken goal from Abdulmajeed Enad. The young defender perfectly controlled the incoming cross before tapping the ball over Gregory Gomis for a easy finish. Earlier, at the Al Khor Stadium, the clash between Al Khor and El Jaish ended in a goalless stalemate. The result will further disappoint the El Jaish camp who were at one time, leading the QSL points table. On the other hand, a draw against the strong El Jaish outfit, one of the league’s strongest teams, has definitely encouraged Al Khor.
Elsewhere, Al Arabi beat Al Kharaitiyat 2-1.
Al Arabi now have 19 points from 16 matches.
Today, Al Wakrah will meet Al Ahli at Saoud Bin Abdel Rahman Stadium while Al Gharafa will play against Muaither SC at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium. Both games kick off at 4.20pm. Later, Al Shahaniya will meet Umm Salal at Grand Hamad Stadium, with the kick off set for 6.30pm.
