Al Arabi's Youssef Msakni (second left) celebrates with team-mates after scoring a goal yesterday.
Al Arabi jumped to the top of QNB Stars League (QSL) standings after a thrilling 4-3 victory over Al Ahli, thanks to a second-half brace from Youssef Msakni at the Grand Hamad Stadium.
Also last night, Al Wakrah bounced back from a defeat to Al Sadd in previous clash to outwit Al Shamal 5-1 and return to fourth in the standings with 30 points, replacing Al Gharafa who will face Al Duhail today.
In a game of swinging fortunes, Al Arabi overcame a two-goal deficit and a gallant fight from Al Ahli later on to top the standing with 43 points gaining a one-point lead over Al Duhail.
Nebojsa Jovovic’s Al Ahli took a 2-0 lead after Yazan Al Naimat struck twice in 7th and 29th minute but Younes Ali’s side leveled the score before half-time through quick goals from Abdullah Murisi (45+1 minute) and Omar Al Somah (45+5 minutes).
Msakni handed Al Arabi lead for the first time in the match by converting a spot kick in 51st minute but Al Qadry brought Al Ahli back in the game in 75th minute.
Msakni’s goal from a close range two minutes before time decided the exciting clash as Al Arabi returned with valuable three points.
At Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium, Marquez Lopez’s Al Wakrah displayed a ruthless show in the second half to thrash Al Shamal with Gelson Dala netting two goals.
The Blue Waves went ahead with a goal from Yousuf Abdurisag in 17th minute with Yacine Bammou equalising for Al Shamal in 57th minute.
Dala regained lead for Al Wakrah with a powerful right-footed hit in 74th minute and scored his second goal in 81st minute, three minutes after Mohamed Benyettou struck from a close range.
Murad Naji wrapped up a dominant win in 85th minute with a strike from 10 yards outside the box.
Al Wakrah's Gelson Dala celebrates after scoring a goal.
Al Duhail eye strong comeback
After their shock loss to Al Sailiya in the Amir Cup quarter-final last week, Al Duhail return to action against Al Gharafa with coach Hernan Crespo reposing confidence in his team.
The Red Knights, who won Ooredoo Cup and Qatar Cup titles, are keen to secure a treble this season.
“I trust in the players’ abilities,” Crespo said ahead of the tie against the Cheetahs to be played at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium.
“We have another opportunity to show the team’s identity and overcome what happened against Al Sailiya in the Amir Cup. It was a nightmare after the team performed well, but we lost out on penalties. Now, we will face a great team, Al Gharafa, and after that we will face Al Rayyan,” the Argentine added.
“Our players have shown professionalism since the start of the season and succeeded in appearing well in all rounds of the league and other competitions and were up to the responsibility. Even in our match against Al Sailiya, we deserved to win,” he said.
Al Gharafa are also coming back to action after an upset defeat against Al Shahania in the Amir Cup quarter-final.
Coach Pedro Martins said his team must move on from the defeat to focus in the upcoming matches.
“It will not be easy, but we are seeking to react properly and fast because our goal is to stay in the top four,” Martins told reporters.
“We have important matches ahead and we know that Al Duhail are a good team and that they are in first place and they deserve it. I want our players to focus from the first minute and to fight to win this very important match for us,” he added.
In other match today, Al Rayyan will take on Al Sailiya with both teams fighting to avoid relegation.
Al Sailiya are 12th in the standings with nine points from 18 games while Al Rayyan are placed 10th with 16 points.
