Al Gharafa's Jonathan Kodjia celebrates after completing his hat-trick against Al Rayyan yesterday.
Jonathan Kodjia yesterday made a dream Qatar debut as the Ivory Coast striker fired a hat-trick to lift Al Gharafa to a thrilling 4-2 victory over Al Rayyan at the QNB Stars League (QSL).
Diego Aguirre-coached Al Rayyan visited Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday looking to supersede points leaders Al Duhail in their Round 13 clash, but Kodjia proved himself too tough to handle for Al Rayyan defense.
The 30-year-old, who moved to Al Gharafa from English Premier League side Aston Villa on a two-and-a-half-year deal, scored all his goals in the second half to give Al Gharafa a victory to remember.
With the win, the Cheetahs cut third-placed Al Sadd’s lead and are just one point behind Xavi’s side with 23 points. Al Duhail, who take on Al Arabi today, are on top with 30 points, two points ahead of Al Rayyan.
In yesterday’s first match, Abel Mathias goal helped Al Ahli to a 1-0 win over Al Sailiya.
However, the game at Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday dubbed ‘the battle of heavyweights’, produced fireworks with Kodjia adding more thrill in front of enthusiasts of both the clubs. After the game was tied 1-1 at half-time, Al Rayyan took lead in
the 62nd minute when veteran forward Sebastian Soria headed the ball into the net off a cross from Yacine Brahimi.
But the lead did not last for long as Kodjia showed what he is capable of, opening his account with a goal from penalty spot in the 65th minute.
Within 60 seconds, he put Al Gharafa ahead with another goal and completed his hat-trick in 86th minute with an acrobatic strike.
In the first half, Sofiane Hanni gave Al Gharafa lead with a goal on penalty kick, which was leveled by Yohan Alexander in 27th minute.
Earlier, hosts Al Ahli jumped three places to 7th spot after a 1-0 victory over Al Sailiya.
Mathias netted the winner in the 27th minute, leaving Al Sailiya just one point ahead of Al Ahli.
It was Al Ahli’s first win, and fifth overall, after they replaced Spanish coach Ruben de la Barrera with Montenegrin Nebojsa Jovovic. On the other hand, Al Sailiya suffered their sixth defeat.
Al Ahli started of well and dominated the first session that lent them the all-important goal. Mathias, who missed a chance earlier, connected home a cross from the right flank by Hernan, who was the Brigadiers’ livewire.
Al Ahli’s Abdelrahman Mohammed sent his angular shot against the right upright in the 36th minute, with Hernan providing the pass from the right again.
Al Sailiya’s Nadir Belhadj had to see his on-the-run shot go over the bar early in the game.
Later, Al Ahli goalkeeper Ivanildo Rodrigues came up with a diving save after Adel Bader hit the target from an acute angle.
Al Sailiya came back from the breather as a better side as they sought the equaliser. They came closest to scoring a goal in the 66th minute.
But Karim Ansari, who could not do much in the game, and Mohammed Faisal both failed to connect a cross.
Referee Ali Abdulrahman Al Marri awarded a penalty in the 83rd minute after Al Sailiya’s Mostafa Mohammed handled Abel’s shot, with the former also earning a red card.
However, both were ruled out through VAR.
