(MENAFN- The Peninsula) fawad hussain |
The Peninsula
Al Duhail yesterday prevailed over Al Ahli 2-1 to retain their four-point lead at the top of QNB Stars League (QSL) standings as Al Arabi blanked Al Rayyan 3-0 after a hat-trick by Omar Al Somah.
Defending champions Al Sadd continued their winning run by beating Umm Salal 2-0 to jump to third place while Al Gharafa put up a ruthless show to trounce Al Wakrah 4-0 on a busy Saturday.
Hernan Crespo's Al Duhail have been in good form since QSL resumed after the FIFA World Cup break. The Red Knights displayed another impressive performance against the Brigadiers yesterday with Khaled Mohammed (21stminute) and Sultan Al Brake (44th minute) scoring for the leaders.
Al Ahli revived hopes of a comeback through Abubakar Bayomi's strike in 53rd minute at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium but the Red Knights continued to dominate possession to secure win and stay four clear of Al Arabi with 29 points.
“All our focus is on regaining the QSL title and this win had given us crucial three points,” Al Brake said after the win.
“We have maintained a four-point lead against Al Arabi which is important. The competition for the title will get tougher and we need to remain consistent,” he added.
In what was Moroccan international Sofiane Boufal's Qatar debut in Al Rayyan colours, Younes Ali's Al Arabi rode on Al Somah's brilliance to claim full points at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
The striker put the Dream Team ahead in 34th minute and completed his hat-trick in the second half, netting goals in 52nd and 67th minutes to inflict eighth defeat of the season on Al Rayyan, who are 10th with eight points.
“It is an important and well deserved victory,” Ali said yesterday.
Al Sadd's Akram Afif (left) in action yesterday.
“It was a difficult challenge but players dominated the match which was required to earn three crucial points. This win will give us confidence as well for the matches ahead,” he added.
Earlier at the same venue, reigning champions Al Sadd relied on star pair of Baghdad Bounedjah and Akram Afif to move third with 19 points, gaining edge over Qatar SC and Al Gharafa on goal difference.
Bounedjah took lead for Al Sadd in ninth minute after Umm Salal goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar failed to clear a Mohammed Waad strike in a move initiated by Afif.
After Umm Salal suffered a blow in the 78th minute when their left-back Atef Mohammed was given marching orders after a second yellow card, Afif scored in 88th minute to wrap up Al Sadd's fourth straight victory.
In first game at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Homam Al Ameen fired a brace to help Al Gharafa score a commanding victory over Al Wakrah in their Round 13 clash.
Homam scored his goals in 18th and 75th minutes while Yacine Brahimi (54th minute) and Muayad Hassan (63rd minute) were other scorers for the Cheetahs. Al Wakrah slipped to sixth with 18 points following their third loss of the season.
In-form Qatar SC eye points
Today, in-form Qatar SC will target points against Al Markhiya in their Round 13 clash at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium.
Qatar SC have registered four consecutive victories and question remains whether Al Markhiya, who did not taste victory in their last three matches, can stop The Kings' juggernaut.
Later at the same venue, Al Shamal and bottom-placed Al Sailiya will square off seeking points.