Second division side Al Markhiya shocked six-time champions Al Rayyan 1-0 to reach the semi-finals of the prestigious Amir Cup at Al Sadd Stadium yesterday.
Al Markhiya’s Omani midfielder Ahmed Mubarak scored the all-important in a 82nd minute penalty, giving his side a memorable victory in the second quarter-final, which was played behind closed doors to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Al Markhiya, coached by Younes Ali, were paid for their solid defence throughout the match, which saw the ‘Lions’ dominating the proceedings with an aggressive display.
Al Rayyan, however, were unfortunate not to score yesterday despite creating numerous chances with some of the referee’s decisions going against them.
The team, coached by Uruguayan Diego Aguirre, seemed they will open the floodgates in the first half as they started attacking Al Markhiya’s goal right from the start.
But, Al Markhiya, who begun the match with a defensive approach did well to hold the former champions.
The first 15 minutes saw Al Rayyan taking control of the match completely making repeated attacks.
Al Rayyan captain Rodrigo Tabata’s free hit outside the box was on target but Al Markhiya goalkeeper Mohamed Said did well to block the attempt.
Besides doing well in defense, Al Markhiya also made a few attacks but Al Rayyan continued the dominating display.
In a 26th minute attack, Al Rayyan’s Yohan Alexander had a good opportunity to score but he struck a cross right in hands of Al Markhiya goalkeeper, when there was just one defender present.
Just a minute later, Al Markhiya got their first realistic chance to score a goal in an attack initiated by Nigerian Anthony Bassey. Al Markhiya’s Hamad Saeed found himself in perfect position to score but his hit was well blocked by Al Rayyan’s South Korean star Lee Jaeik, who dived to deflect the ball off target.
As the match gathered more pace, Al Rayyan were unlucky not to get a goal when Tabata’s furious strike from outside the box struck the goal post.
Referee Meshari Al Shamari’s decision to award penalty in favour of Al Rayyan in the 38th minute was overturned by VAR after replay showed Al Markhiya captain Aden Ali’s tackle against Alexander was clean.
The decision allowed Al Markhiya to go into the breather without any deficit as more Al Rayyan attacks went without a goal being scored.
In the second half, Al Rayyan again came as a dominant side pushing for a goal but Al Markhiya defenders continued to block their way, with Mubarak receiving a caution for one of those tackles.
Looking for a goal, Al Rayyan coach Aguirre sent Mohammed Juma Al Awai in play while calling back Alexander in the 63rd minute.
Referee turned down Franck Kom’s appeal of a handball against Al Markhiya defender on his attempt in a 72nd minute corner, just handing one more corner to the ‘Lions’.
Star Sebastian Soria then came off the bench as Al Rayyan struggled for a goal but it was Al Markhiya who found the winner.
A decision by VAR adjudged a handball by Abdelaziz Hatem inside the box during an attack by Al Markhiya, who were then handed a spot kick.
Mubarak was on target with a right-footed hit, though Al Rayyan goalkepeer Fahad Younis dived in the right direction but he was a little late in his response. Al Rayyan created more chances to find the equaliser with Soria also making a couple of attempts. However, it was Al Markhiya’s day who went away victorious with a historic win.
Today, Al Sadd and Al Wakrah will clash in the third quarter-final at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
