(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
After losing two consecutive games, Qatar SC made a brilliant comeback to the new QNB Stars League season, edging former champions Al Rayyan 1-0 on their home turf yesterday. Also in the Round 3 matches yesterday, Al Wakrah and Al Sailiya claimed full points after winning their respective matches.
Al Rayyan were clear favourites to win the battle at Qatar SC Stadium but the home side displayed a stunning performance to score their first victory of the season through a 70th minute goal by Brazilian Kayke Rodrigues.
The Lions started the game with a fast pace producing several attacks. In one of those attacks, captain Yaccine Brahimi stormed into the circle but was off target giving Qatar SC goalkeeper Jassim Adel a respite.
In the first 25 minutes, Al Rayyan already had took four shots on target. Striker Brahimi created another chance, setting Yohan Boli with an angular pass but the Ivorian shot wide as frustration continued for Al Rayyan till the half-time.
Seeking goals, Al Rayyan continued to play attacking football and created more chances but were unable to score. However, it was Qatar SC who found the goal in a counter attack when Rodrigues received a long pass and defeated Al Rayyan goalkeeper Soud Abdulla comfortably with a right-footed push. The goal proved to be the winner as more attacks from Al Rayyan went in vain.
At Al Duhail Stadium, Al Wakrah, who shocked reigning champions Al Duhail last week, continued their fine form to beat Umm Salal 2-0.
Mohamad Benyettou fired a brilliant free kick from outside the circle right into the right corner, giving Umm Salal goalkeeper Baba Malick no chance to block the attempt, in the first half. Khaild Muneer doubled the lead for Al Wakrah in the 52nd minute.
Earlier yesterday, Al Sailiya recorded their first victory in the new season by defeating promoted side Al Kharaitiyat 2-0 at the Qatar SC Stadium. Iraqi striker Mohanad Ali scored the goals in the 14th and 50th minutes for Al Sailiya, who moved on to four points, while Al Kharaitiyat remained on three points that they collected from their 2-1 victory over Qatar SC in Week 2.
For Al Sailiya, who have embarked on the new season with high ambitions and reinforced the squad to improve their fifth-place finish last season, the victory was a big morale booster ahead of the long break in the QNB Stars League.
The Peregrines held last season's runners-up Al Rayyan to a 1-1 draw in Week 1, but then lost big-time to Al Sadd (1-5). Al Sailiya, determined to make a turnaround in their fortunes, created more opportunities right throughout and Mohanad, a former player with Al Duhail, struck on either side of half-time to hand Sami Trabelsi's side an important victory.
As a result, Al Kharaitiyat, back in the QNB Stars League after a gap of one season, had to play second fiddle to their rivals. Their Moroccan spearhead Rachid Tiberkanine came close on a couple of occasions, but a goal eluded them.
Mohanad opened the scoring by heading in a corner kick by Nadir Belhadj. Mohanad was at it again in the 42nd minute, but his shot went over the bar, while his team-mate Tiago Bezerra sent a free-kick wide of the target.
For Yousef Adam-coached Al Kharaitiyat, Mahmoud Saad and Tiberkanine made attempts at the goal. Mohanad scored a second time not long after resumption of play off a pass from Ahmed Hammoudan who, along with Bezerra, switched sides from Al Khor at the start of this season.
Al Kharaitiyat's substitute Saoud Farhan and Mohammed Osman made attempts at the goal, but in vain. Meanwhile, in today's matches, Al Khor will host Al Ahli at 6:15pm while Al Gharafa will visit Al Arabi Stadium to play against the home side in second match that will kick off at 8:30pm.
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