Doha, Qatar: Substitute Mohamed Al-Mannai scored a second-half brace as Al Shamal thrashed Al Shahania 4-0 to cut Al Gharafa's lead, while Al Arabi ran riot against Qatar SC winning 5-1 in the Qatar Stars League (QSL).

Omar Ali and Baghdad Bounedjah netted in the first half as Al Shamal dominated proceedings to regain second place with 21 points, four behind leaders Al Gharafa and two clear of third-placed Al Rayyan.

At Al Shamal Sports Club, Omar Ali opened the scoring in the 12th minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse to slot home from the centre of the box.

Bounedjah doubled the lead in the 40th minute, cutting in from the left after a diagonal ball from Omar Mohammed and finishing with a precise left-footed strike.

Al-Mannai came off the bench in the 57th minute and, just four minutes later, scored his first goal after a neat assist from substitute Younes Belhanda, finishing calmly into the left corner past goalkeeper Shehab Ellethy.

Seven minutes later, Al-Mannai completed his brace, converting a short pass from Omar Mohammed with a shot into the right corner from outside the box, sealing the emphatic victory.

“Our players gave everything in a tough match,” Al-Mannai said.“Al Shahania are a respectable team, but we were better today.”

On title ambitions, he added,“We're not thinking about the title. The league is long and we take it one match at a time and hope for the best.”

The loss left Al Shahania anchored to the bottom with four points, two behind Umm Salal and three behind Al Sailiya.

Al Arabi players celebrate their 5-1 win over Qatar SC.

At Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium, Al Arabi put on a ruthless display to hand Qatar SC their third consecutive defeat in the league.

After a strong start to the season, Qatar SC now sit fifth with 17 points, just behind defending champions Al Sadd on goal difference.

Pablo Sarabia and Michael Olunga each scored a brace as Al Arabi moved to sixth with 16 points. Sarabia opened in the 24th minute with a tap-in from a Rodri Sanchez back pass, and Olunga doubled the lead 10 minutes later, racing onto a through ball and slotting home.

Sarabia added a third in the 40th minute, while Niall Mason pulled one back for Qatar SC just before halftime.

Olunga struck again in the 50th minute, and Yazan Al Naimat wrapped up the comprehensive win nine minutes from time.

“Al Arabi was brilliant today, achieving a big and resounding victory over Qatar SC,” said Al Arabi's Mrwan Sherif.

Qatar SC are a very strong opponent, but we prepared well and implemented the coach's instructions, and it paid off.”

“After the break, we will focus on preparing for the next match, step by step. To our fans, we want you to attend the stadium, and we will give our best performance for you.”

The QSL will take a break and resume on December 27, as Qatar prepares to host the FIFA Arab Cup from December 1 to 18.

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