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The Peninsula
Former Qatar international Rodrigo Tabata (70') and Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah (90+7') were on target as Al Sadd defeated Al Rayyan 2-0 in a strongly contested return leg of Qatar Clasico, yesterday.
The victory in the week 20 fixture of the QNB Stars League 2022-2023 season at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium took the title-holders Al Sadd's tally to 41 points as they reduced the gap between them and second placed Al Arabi (43) ahead of the latter's meeting with Al Wakrah today.
Al Duhail, who take on Umm salal today, continue to lead the table with 45 points.
Al Rayyan, on 17 points from 20 games, still hover over the relegation zone.
While Al Rayyan came close to scoring on a few occasions yesterday, they couldn't beat the Wolves' goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham and the formidable Al Sadd defence.
After a goalless first half, Al Rayyan were down to 10-men after Mohamed Emad Aiash was shown the red card in the 80th minute of the match for foul play.
The Lions missed several chances. In the 56th minute, Al Rayyan's Moroccan midfielder Sofiane Boufal made a kick from the right which hit the legs of goalkeeper Barsham as it bounced and fell over the goalline.
Al Rayyan had threatened to score in the 86th minute as well when Boli, held back by a defender again, could not beat Barsham as the ball hit the right boot of the knelt-down custodian and ballooned over.
Al Sadd now have two games left in the League – one each against Al Duhail and Al Arabi respectively and will surely look to provide for a fight till the finish.
Meanwhile, Al Markhiya defeated Al Shamal 3-1 in another gripping contest which took place at the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium.
Al Markhiya's goals were scored by Driss Fettouhi (45th minute penalty and 84th minute) and Jose Correia (45+3 minute), while Al Shamal's goal came through Al Markhiya's Hamad Balgheit's own goal in the 67th minute.
Al Markhiya moved on to 24 points, while Al Shamal stood on 17 points.
Later, at the same venue, Qatar SC beat Al Gharafa 1-0. Iraqi international Bashar Rasan scored the winning goal in the 22nd minute.
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