(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
Doha: Al Sailiya responded to a recent difficult run with a comprehensive 4-1 victory against strugglers Al Markhiya while Qatar SC held Al Arabi to a 1-1 draw in Week 14 of the QNB Stars League.
Yesterday at the Al Ahli Stadium, Al Sailiya helped by goals from George Semakor in the 33rd minute, Valentin Lazar (37th) and Wagner Ribeiro (66th and 87th) collected full points.
Al Markhiya's consolation goal was scored by Mohamed Salah in the 61st.
The Peregrines were rewarded with the opening goal from a corner when Semakor rose highest to plant a perfectly-executed header past the stranded opposition goalkeeper.
Before Al Markhiya had a chance to reorganise, they found themselves even further behind as Lazar raced on to a through ball down the right and beat the keeper with relative ease.
Any chance of a heroic comeback was effectively dashed when the referee sent off Ahaje Moustapha following a challenge in the centre of the field. New boy Leonardo de Souza had a chance to pull one back in the 55th, but he flashed his volley just over the bar from close range.
De Souza then made his mark when his pullback was converted by Salah to bring the away side back into the game. Any glimmer of hope soon faded as Lazar was brought down in the penalty area, with Wagner stepping up to convert the penalty.
Right at the death, it was Wagner again as he capitalised on a defensive error to lash home from 25 yards.
It was a much-needed victory for Al Sailiya who cemented their fourth position with 23 points, but it will be more of a concern now for Al Markhiya who are rooted to the bottom on eight points.
In the other match, Qatar SC playing on home turf held Al Arabi to a 1-1 draw.
Al Arabi's Abdel Rahman Mansour scored in the 26th minute and Qatar SC's Osama Omari in the 46th.
The first half was played out in a cautious fashion, with neither side taking the crucial match for granted.
It was the away side who eventually gained the advantage following some wonderful, patient build-up play on the right. The ball was cut back from the byline to Manour whose controlled shot burst the back of the net.
Into the second half and the The Kings got right back into the game following a moment of magic from new recruit Omari. The Syrian received the ball 35 yards out and, after drifting through a couple of opposition players, unleashed an unstoppable shot from distance that left the goalkeeper with no chance.
With both sides searching for a late winner, the game witnessed some outstanding saves from the goalkeepers to keep the scores level. Most notably, there was a save-of-the-season contender from Masoud Zarayi, who managed to miraculously tip Bruno Gallo's fierce drive to safety.
Qatar SC and Al Arabi, who both face relegation, can take consolation from the fact that they collected a point each.
Qatar SC moved to 12 points and Al Arabi 11.
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