Al Arabi’s Youssef Msakani (right) in action during match against Al Markhiya. Pic: Abdul Basit
Doha: Khaled Mohammed’s late strike yesterday gave Al Duhail a 2-1 victory over Al Rayyan in an absorbing QNB Stars League (QSL) clash at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
With the game locked at 1-1, Mohammed carried the ball from half-way mark to the slot the winner in the 87th minute.
But a couple of minutes later, Al Rayyan won a penalty kick after Diyab Haroon was sent off for stopping Yohan Boli’s attempt with hand.
But Boli’s strike hit the crossbar, denying Al Rayyan an equaliser as Hernan Crespo’s side earned their first victory of the season.
The match got off to a fast start with Boli wowing the home fans with an early goal after picking a long ball from Ibrahim Abdelhalim Masoud in the eighth minute.
After several attacks in the first half, Al Duhail managed to level the score in 48th minute when Youssef Ayman Farahat found the target following a corner kick.
Tempers flared deep into the match following foul against Edmilson Junior on the sidelines.
Al Duhail were a better side in the match, enjoying over 65 percent of ball possession and making at least 15 attempts to score.
It was third straight defeat to Nicolas Cordova-coached Al Rayyan, who are on the bottom of the table.
Earlier yesterday, Omar Al Somah and Youssef Msakani were on target as Al Arabi blanked Al Markhiya 2-0 at the Education City Stadium.
With their third consecutive victory, the Dream Team climbed back to the top of the table with nine points.
Msakani was involved in both the goals as he assisted Al Somah for Al Arabi’s opening goal in the 49th minute after a goalless first half.
The Tunisian star then headed the ball in off a cross in the 73rd minute to seal win for Younes Ali’s side.
Al Markhiya remained on four points after their first defeat of the season.
Champions Al Sadd seek morale-boosting win
Meanwhile, reigning champions Al Sadd will take on Al Ahli today, hoping to clinch their first win of the season at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
Al Sadd, who hardly dropped points in the last two seasons, lost their opening match to promoted Al Markhiya before playing a draw against Umm Salal.
Al Sadd coach Juan Manuel Lillo said his team needs to execute the opportunities well to notch up their first victory.
“We expect to create chances to score again and hope to get a good result against Al Ahli, which is victory and three points, which will serve as a morale booster for the youngsters who are now playing in the team,” said Lillo.
“Against Umm Salal in the last round, we played well, but we did not take advantage of the opportunities that came our way,” he added.
In contrast, Al Ahli got off to a positive start to the season, claiming four points from a win over Umm Salal and a draw against Al Duhail.
However, Al Ahli coach Nebojsa Jovovic called for improvement in match against the 16-time champions.
“The important thing for me as a coach is that the team is developing from one game to another. We have not yet presented our required level, but we will do so over time. We have 20 rounds remaining in the competition,” said Jovovic.
“The match against Al Sadd is one of the difficult ones. We will give off everything against Al Sadd in order to get the result we are looking forward to,” he added.
In other match today, Al Gharafa will take on Al Shamal at the Al Thumama Stadium. Al Gharafa are on four points while Al Shamal have claimed three points from two matches.
