Doha: Striker Yousef Msakni scored a brace as Al Arabi overpowered Al Shamal 3-1 in their sixth round match of the QNB Stars League (QSL) on their turf yesterday.
In other matches Al Wakrah edged Al Sailiya 1-0 at their own backyard while Umm Salal sealed a 2-2 draw against Qatar SC following a late goal in yesterday’s second match at the Al Arabi Stadium.
Earlier at the Al Arabi Stadium, Msakni scored in 13th and 54th minutes, with Aaron Boupendza (22nd minute) being the other scorer for the home team. Promoted Al Shamal scored their only goal through Amjad Attwan, who struck in 74th minute.
Al Arabi opened the scoring when Ahmed Fathi charged into the Al Shamal box and slipped in a neat cross to an unmarked Msakni stationed close to the Al Shamal goalmouth. The Tunisian forward deflected the ball into the net with the goalkeeper in no position to stop it.
Al Arabi jumped to a 2-0 lead after Boupendza, with a solo effort charged ahead with the ball. Despite being shadowed by Fahad Waad and Mohsen Al Yazeedi, the Gabonese unleashed a thunderbolt that went flat before crashing into the net to the right of the keeper. Then came Al Shamal’s consolation goal as Attwan found the net after a cross from Jeison Escobar.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Benyettou netted the all-important goal in the 87th minute for the hosts at Al Wakrah Stadium.
In yesterday’s last match, Aymen Hussein’s 89-minute goal earned a point for Umm Salal, who were trailing 0-2 at half-time. Sebastian Soria (43’) and Bashar Rasan (45’) scored goals for Qatar SC. Umm Salal reduced the lead through Isael de Silva in the 67th minute before firing an equaliser.
