In-form Umm Salal secured their third consecutive victory with a 2-0 upset win over Al Arabi in the QNB Stars League (QSL) yesterday.
Defender Abdulrahman Abakar opened the scoring in the 73rd minute before Ayman Hussein sealed the victory in the final minute of the game at the Grand Hamad Stadium.
Under Wesam Rizik, Umm Salal have been impressive as they moved to sixth in the table, just three points behind fourth-placed Al Gharafa.
It’s a huge blow for Al Arabi though, who could have moved to within six points of top spot. The Dream Team are third with 20 points, one ahead of Gharafa.
After a goalless first half, the match sprung to life late in the second half. Abakar headed Isael Barbosa cross from the right to give Umm Salal a deserving lead.
Al Arabi, who lacked energy on the night, attempted a comeback but without much success.
Hussein then calmed the nerves in the Umm Salal camp as the striker beat Arabi goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada with a header off an Ismail Dahqani cross from the right in the 90th minute.
In another match yesterday, Al Khor registered their first victory of the season after a 2-1 win over Qatar SC 2-1 at the Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium.
Giannis Fetfatzidid (45+1 and 77th minutes) scored for Al Khor as The Knights moved on to seven points, just two behind ninth-placed Al Ahli.
Sebastian Soria pulled one back for Qatar SC in the 78th minute but The Kings could not find the equaliser.
The Kings are at seventh place on 12 points following their fifth defeat.
