Al Arabi's Abdulaziz Al Ansari celebrates with team-mates. Pic: Mohamed Farag
Doha: Al Arabi were held 1-1 by Umm Salal yesterday but the Dream Team will retain its top spot in the QNB Stars League (QSL) after sharing points at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
With the draw, the Younes Ali-coached side moved to 16 points, two clear of Al Duhail, who also played out a 1-1 draw against Al Sailiya at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, earlier yesterday.
Al Wakrah, who are third in the standings with 12 points, will hope to beat Al Sadd today to jump to second place before the league heads for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 break.
Al Gharafa were the only side to register a victory yesterday as they edged Al Markhiya 2-1 in day’s second match at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
Al Arabi went ahead with a strike from Abdulaziz Al Ansari in the 40th minute, with Joao Carlos Teixeira levelling for Umm Salal in the 50th minute.
The Dream Team suffered a late setback, with Marc Muniesa receiving a red card for foul against Jonathan Kodjia in 90+1 minutes.
“We played a good match but we failed to avail our chances,” Younes said after the match.
“Umm Salal were not giving spaces in the first half yet we managed to score through Abdulaziz Al Ansari. We were targeting three points but now we will try to come back stronger after the break,” he added.
After earning a point, Umm Salal moved one place up to ninth with seven points.
Earlier, substitute Nasser Saleh Al Yazidi, assisted by Nam Tae-hee, scored an 83rd minute equaliser against Al Sailiya at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
Al Sailiya went ahead after a 46th minute strike by Carlos Strandberg following a goalless first half.
Al Duhail coach Hernan Crespo was not content with his team’s performance in the draw.
“Every Al Duhail player must give his 110 percent on the field and everyone must work hard to collect points in all the forthcoming matches as if they are playing a final,” Crespo said yesterday.
With 4 points, Al Sailiya went three clear of bottom-placed Al Rayyan after the draw.
Meanwhile, Al Gharafa scored two goals (Yacine Brahimi 56’ and Ishak Belfodil 63’ pen) in the second half to collect three points after Driss Fettouhi took the lead for Al Markhiya in 38th minute.
The match also saw a red card being handed to Al Markhiya’s Ayoub Azzi in 90th minute.
Al Gharafa are fourth on the table with 12 points while Al Markhiya stayed on seventh with 8 points after suffering their third defeat.
Al Sadd, Al Wakrah set for exciting tie
Today, defending champions Al Sadd will host Al Wakrah at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in what is expected to be this week’s most exciting clash.
While Al Sadd – affected by the absence of their stars – are enduring a shaky run by their standards clinching just two wins, Al Wakrah are the only side yet to be defeated this season with three victories and as many draws.
Al Sadd were shocked by Al Shamal last week – one of the three defeats for the Wolves this season, with coach Juan Maneul Lillo saying his team must collect points today.
“Al Wakrah have been impressive with their good organisation in play and clear attacking style. It’s a robust team. But we’re ready for Al Wakrah, our goal is victory,” Lillo said yesterday.
The Wolves will be boosted with the return of star Rodrigo Tabata, who will join the side after a two-match suspension.
“It was really unfortunate that we missed [Rodrigo] Tabata in our three matches and not just two because in the match against Al Gharafa, in which he was expelled, he played only for a short time. His return to the team is a strong addition,” said the coach.
Terming Al Sadd a tough side despite the absences, Al Wakrah coach Marquez Lopez hoped to go into the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 break with three points.
“All matches are difficult and there is only one match left before the league takes a break, and I hope to win. But of course this match will not be easy,” Lopez said yesterday.
“I am very happy with our players’ performance in all matches and it is not easy for them to always outperform their opponents. But they do so, evidence being the 32 chances to score in two matches,” he added.
Also today, Al Rayyan will be targeting their first win of the season when they meet Qatar SC at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
Al Rayyan are on the bottom after losing five matches with the Nicolas Cordova-coached reeling with one point. Qatar SC are ninth in the standings with seven points.
The first match today will pit Al Ahli and Al Shamal at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, with fifth-placed Al Ahli seeking their third win. Al Shamal are sixth on the table with nine points, just falling behind the Brigadiers on goal difference.
