Al Gharafa’s Julian Draxler scores against Al Khor.
Doha, Qatar: Roger Guedes converted a stoppage-time penalty to earn Al Rayyan a dramatic 2-2 draw against Al Gharafa in a high-octane Ooredoo Stars League (OSL) clash yesterday.
The result snapped Al Gharafa’s six-match winning run, keeping them second with 28 points. Al Ahli later drew level with the Cheetahs after Julian Draxler’s spectacular late overhead kick secured a win against Al Khor.
Both teams trail leaders Al Duhail by just one point, with the Red Knights set to face Umm Salal tomorrow. Defending champions Al Sadd can also reach 28 points if they overcome Al Arabi at Al Thumama Stadium today.
Al Rayyan's Roger Guedes (left) in action against Al Gharafa.
“We wanted the win because the competition will only get tougher from here,” said Al Gharafa’s Ferjani Sassi. “We need to be more focused and give everything in the next matches.”
It was a pulsating battle at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, with Joselu giving Pedro Martins’ side an early lead in the fifth minute, slotting home with a left-footed strike set up by Ahmed Al Ganehi.
Paraguayan international Adam Bareiro, making his second appearance for Al Rayyan, scored his maiden OSL goal in the 14th minute, tapping in Murad Naji’s precise cross from close range.
Yacine Brahimi spearheaded Al Gharafa’s attacks, but Al Rayyan held firm as the first half ended evenly, with the Cheetahs firing four shots on target.
In the 55th minute, Amro Surag restored Al Gharafa’s lead with a brilliant run, controlling a long ball, outpacing a defender, and slotting in off the right post.
Hazem Shehata was denied by Al Gharafa goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar as Al Rayyan pressed for an equaliser. Their persistence paid off in the 90th minute when Trezeguet was brought down by substitute Assim Madibo inside the box.
Guedes coolly chipped the ball into the net, sending Ababacar the wrong way. However, the Brazilian forward squandered a chance for a winner after rounding the goalkeeper but failing to beat Abdalla Yousif.
“We wasted chances, and so did they, but it was a beautiful match,” said Naji. “Both teams need points, so we must focus on winning our next match.”
Artur Jorge’s Al Rayyan climbed to sixth with 18 points, one behind Al Shamal, who face struggling Qatar SC today.
At Al Khor Stadium, Al Ahli dominated possession but failed to register a shot on target until Draxler struck in the 87th minute. The German midfielder, returning after missing the defeat to Al Gharafa, soared from the left of the box to connect with Erik Alexander Hernandez’s chip, slotting into the far corner.
Al Khor were left to rue a missed golden opportunity when Ayman Hussein scooped the ball over the bar from close range just after the hour mark. They remain at the bottom with seven points.
OSL Round 14
RESULTS
Al Rayyan 2-2 Al Gharafa
Al Khor 0-1 Al Ahli
Today
4:30pm: Qatar SC vs Al Shamal at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium
6:45pm: Al Arabi vs Al Sadd at Al Thumama Stadium
Tomorrow
4:30pm: Umm Salal vs Al Duhail at Grand Hamad Stadium
6:45pm: Al Wakrah vs Al Shahania at Stadium 974
