Qatar SC’s Rami Fayez Shamalah (right) controls the ball during the QSL match against Al Khor at Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium, yesterday. The match ended in a goalless draw.
DOHA: Al Arabi continued their consistent run at the QNB Stars League (QSL), securing a 2-0 win over Al Shahania at their home turf yesterday.
In other match yesterday, Qatar SC were held to a goalless draw by Al Khor at their home ground.
Al Arabi was the team to watch on the first day of Round 6 as they continued to improve from an 11-1 drubbing by Al Sadd earlier in the League, sealing their fourth QSL victory from six matches so far.
It was a fast start to the game at Al Arabi Stadium as Al Shahania, who were coming after a win over Qatar SC in their previous match, also looked in good touch against the hosts.
Both teams started off aggressively and exchanged several attacks before Mailson Francinsco Farias opened the account for Al Arabi in 21st minute. Farias made no mistake on a ball from outside the box finding the target on the left of Al Shahania goalkeeper.
Al Shahania looked for leveler but a firm Al Arabi defense ensured they walked into the breather with 1-0 lead.
The visitors seemed to be tired as they were not as threatening in the second half.
Al Arabi exploited a lackluster show by Al Shahania in the 58th minute to score their second goal and take 2-0 lead.
It was Mohamed Salah Elneel who just had to beat a defender before firing the ball past goalkeeper after a long pass from his team-mate. An own goal by Al Shahania captain Alvaro Mejia Perez in the 84th minute sealed 3-0 victory for Al Arabi.
Meanwhile, at Qatar SC Stadium, both teams created chances even though Qatar SC dominated the ball. They had 60 percent at half-time and which was reduced to 52 percent at the end of the match. Qatar SC and Al Khor now have four and two points respectively.
And that showed Al Khor’s performance with renewed vigour in the second half even though chances created by either side were few and far between in the latter part.
While most of the chances belonged to Qatar SC, Al Khor forced more corner kicks – nine as against the rivals’ five.
Both teams were under new coaches, Yousef Al Noobi replacing Abdulla Mubarak at Qatar SC and Omar Najhi coming in place of Adel Sellimi.
Qatar SC produced a gritty performance after 68 minutes when Sandro Ferreira was red-carded by referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim for fouling Al Khor’s Salem Khalifa. Their new recruit Wagner Ferreira’s resultant free-kick went out off a deflection.
Star Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o, who was substituted after 70 minutes, twice and Iraqi forward Hussein Ali once tested Al Khor goalkeeper Mohammed Al Bakri in the first half.
Qatar SC’s Syrian striker Osama Omari too had come close to scoring, but for the alertness of Qatar SC goalkeeper Jassim Al Hail.
