Al Rayyan players celebrate a goal against Umm Salal suring their QSL Cup match at Al Arabi Stadium yesterday.
Football giants Al Rayyan yesterday overcame Umm Salal 1-0 after a battling contest to enter the semi-finals of QSL Cup at Al Arabi Stadium.
It was Al Rayyan’s fourth consecutive win in the coveted tournament after Abderrazzaq Hamedallah struck the only goal of the match in the 80th minute.
In the 10th minute, star striker Rodrigo Tabata attempted a bicycle shot but Umm Salal goalkeeper Basel Zaidan tipped the ball over the crossbar. In the 13th minute, Umm Salal’s Rami Fayez launched a fierce left-footed shot but the ball was stopped by Al Rayyan goalkeeper Mubarak Al Khater.
In the 21st minute, Adil Rehali of Umm Salal was booked with a yellow for a reckless tackle on Tabata near his own box. Six minutes later, veteran Al Rayyan forward Sebastian Soria sneaked into the Umm Salal box but his clip from close range narrowly missed the far goalpost.
Eight minutes later, Umm Salal’s Mahir Yusuf Issa fired a bullet from outside the Al Rayayn box but goalkeeper Al Khater was alert to block the shot standing on the goalline.
Soon after resumption of play, Umm Salal’s Mubarak Al Beraik got booked for a rough tackle on Mohsine Moutouali of Al Rayyan. After 65 minutes of play, Al Rayyan enjoyed 59 percent of ball possession against 41 by Umm Salal.
In the 80th minute, Hamedallah just about managed to flick one from close range following a long ball from the midfield. Two minutes later, Rehaili picked up his second yellow of the match and was ordered off the pitch.
Al Arabi 5 beat Al Sadd 4
Goal-hungry Al Arabi yesterday won a nine-goal thriller against Al Sadd, ending their round 4 clash 5-4 at Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium.
The fans barely settled into their seats at Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium when Al Arabi found the net in the second minute of the match with a quick-footed drive by Yousef Ahmed past Al Sadd goalkeeper.
Three minutes later, Doha giants Al Sadd produced the equalizer through Hamroun Jugurtha with an easy shot past Al Arabi goalkeeper Mahmoud Zarayi.
In the 14th minute, Al Sadd took the lead for the first time in the match after a neat 1-2 between Yasser Abubaakar Essa and Rami Suhail Ali. Essa spotted Ali in the Al Arabi box and a neat ball towards the national U-19 team player proved to be a master stroke as latter easily deflected the ball into the net despite being marked by Abdullah Alawi.
Three minutes later, Al Arabi converted an indirect corner kick into their second goal as Tarek Hamed Abdelmagid produced a deft left-footed drive that sailed above the head of Al Sadd goalkeeper Jehad Hudib.
Al Sadd surged into lead one more time as Hatem Kamal fired one in the 29th minute after an indirect free-kick. But four minutes later, Al Arabi equalized through Yusuf Ahmed who flicked one from outside the Al Sadd box after picking up a lose ball.
Mohammed Atif gave Al Arabi the lead with a neat goal in the 71st minute. Hamroun equalised for Al Sadd in the 76th minute with a spectacular direct free-kick. Minutes later Al Arabi managed their fifth goal through Hamid Ismail (81) off a penalty kick.
Al Markhiya draw with Al Ahli 0-0
Experienced Al Ahli yesterday were held to a goalless draw by newcomers Al Markhiya in their round 4 clash of the QSL Cup at Al Wakrah Stadium.
yesterday’s draw was the second for Al Markhiya in Group C. For Al Ahli, it was their second draw as well.
After a goalless draw in the first half when both teams failed to construct meaningful moves, Al Makrkhiya nearly pulled off a goal in the 60th minute. Striker Abdulqadir Ilyas of Al Markhiya, lurking inside the Al Ahli box, failed to convert a relatively easy close-range opportunity.
After the game petered out to a goallesl draw, Al Makrkhiya dominated the stat-sheet, managing 7 corners against just three by Al Ahli. Al Markhiya were marginally better in ball possession, tilting the scale at 51 percent.
