Al Arabi's Youssef Msakni celebrates his goal against Al Shamal. PIC: Mohamed Faraj
Doha: Youssef Msakni converted a second-half penalty as Al Arabi edged Al Shamal 1-0 to extend their perfect run at the QNB Stars League (QSL), yesterday.
The fourth straight victory for the Younes Ali-coached side at the floodlit Al Thumama Stadium put them back on top of the points table with 12 points at the conclusion of Week 4.
Al Wakrah slipped to second with 10 points, with Al Ahli and Al Gharafa placed joint third with seven points, having an edge over Al Duhail on basis of better goal difference.
Last night, Al Arabi had to battle hard against Al Shamal, who posed a tough challenge to the in-form side.
Msakni scored the all-important goal in the 56th minute after Fahad Waad’s rash tackle against Omar Jehad inside the box resulted in a penalty, with the Tunisian star comfortably netting the ball.
Al Shamal also won a penalty but Al Arabi goalkeeper Mahmoud Ibrahim made a diving save to thwart Yacine Bammou strike in the 72nd minute. Al Shamal remained on six points after the defeat.
Action during the match between Umm Salal and Al Sailiya, yesterday. Pic: Rajan Vadakkemuriyil
Earlier yesterday, a goal in the first half by Portuguese Joao Teixeira gave Umm Salal a 1-0 victory over Al Sailiya at the Al Janoub Stadium.
Teixeira struck the winning goal in the 42nd minute off a counterattack as Umm Salal grabbed their first victory of the season to move to four points.
Umm Salal’s Abdullah Khafifi came close to scoring early in the match but his shot hit the post. The Orange Fortress also saw a penalty decision in their favour cancelled by VAR before the half-time.
Al Sailiya created several opportunities but failed to find the equaliser, with Umm Salal goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar making brilliant saves, including a dangerous attempt by Sergio Strandberg in the 63rd minute.
Meanwhile, Al Gharafa coach Andrea Stramaccioni expressed his delight after his side defeated defending champions Al Sadd 2-1 on Tuesday.
Stramaccioni said the team performed well in a tough match against a top side. “We played very well in the best part of the match and deserved this victory,” the Al Gharafa coach said.
Al Gharafa took a two-goal lead after strikes from Ishak Belfodil and Yacine Brahimi, with Guilherme Torres reducing the lead for Al Sadd in the 72nd minute.
“We created several opportunities to score the third goal but after a goal by Guilherme Torres, we decided against taking risks,” said Stramaccioni before adding that Al Gharafa must continue to work hard.
“I know it’s a long road and this is just the beginning. We have not done anything yet and we have to work hard consistently,” he said.
Al Sadd lost their captain Rodrigo Tabata, owing to a 29th-minute red card in the match, and coach Juan Manuel Lillo said his team fought well despite the setback.
“We were not bad and controlled the match despite the numerical disadvantage. We played very fast, even with 10 men, and we were capable of getting a better result, but we were not successful,” he said.
