(MENAFN- The Peninsula) fawad hussain |
The Peninsula
Kenyan striker Michael Olunga scored two goals as Al Duhail restored their two-point lead over Al Arabi at the QNB Stars League (QSL) after outplaying Qatar SC 3-1 yesterday.
Al Wakrah also recorded a commanding 5-2 victory against Al Ahli to jump back to fourth in the standings with 27 points, while Al Rayyan earned a 3-2 comeback victory against Al Markhiya.
After Al Arabi climbed to top with a win over Al Sailiya on Friday, Hernan Crespo's Al Duhail needed a win yesterday to retain their top spot and the Red Knights did exactly what was needed.
At Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Olunga scored in both the halves, giving Al Duhail a lead in 10th minute before completing his brace in 79th minute. Khaled Mohammed scored third goal for the leaders in 90th minute before Badr Benoun scored a consolation goal for Qatar SC from a penalty in 90+8 minutes.
Al Duhail, who moved to 39 points after their 16th match, also have one extra game in hand. While Al Arabi are second, defending champions Al Sadd - placed third in the standings – are five points behind the leaders.
The only setback of the day for Al Duhail was a red card to Luiz Junior after 90+4 minutes.
Meanwhile, Gelson Dala shone in Al Wakrah's thumping victory scoring two goals at Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium.
Mohamed Benyettou opened scoring for the Blue Waves with a fine spot kick in 19th minute with Khalid Muneer (38th minute) and Dala (40th minute) making it 3-1 after Al Dokali Al Seyed equalised for Al Ahli in 33rd minute.
After Yousuf Abdurisag made it 4-1 for Al Wakrah three minutes after the break, Al Seyed again launched Al Ahli's fightback with his second goal in 64th minute, but a Dala goal in 89th minute rounded up a fine win for Al Wakrah.
“We started the match well and two quick goals in the first half gave us control of the match,” Al Wakrah coach Marquez Lopez said after the win yesterday.
“I am happy with the performance of players who played well throughout the match,” he added.
Al Ahli stayed seventh with 21 points after their sixth defeat of the season.
Yesterday, the first game at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium saw Al Rayyan bouncing back after conceding an early goal against Al Markhiya to claim their fourth win of the season, thanks to a brace from forward Jeisson Vargas.
Ayoub Assal put Al Markhiya ahead in the fourth minute before Sofiane Boufal converted a 38th minute penalty to bring Al Rayyan back in the match. Vargas then put the Lions ahead in the 42nd minute but Ze Turbo pulled off the equaliser in 77th minute.
The Chilean completed the win for Al Rayyan by scoring the winner in 87th minute.
Nicolas Cordova's Al Rayyan jumped to ninth spot as the crucial win took their tally to 16 points – two ahead of 10th-placed Al Shamal.
Yesterday's Results
Al Wakrah bt Al Ahli 5-2
Al Rayyan bt Al Markhiya 3-2
Al Duhail bt Qatar SC 3-1