Al Rayyan miss chance to go top; Al Arabi continue dismal QSL run
The Lions managed 2-2 draw against Al Shahania; Al Sailiya beat Al Arabi 2-1
AL Rayyan missed the chance to go top of the QNB Stars League after a 2-2 against Al Shahania on Thursday.
The Lions were on the back of a six-game winning streak heading into the match but a resilient Al Shahania, who are bottom of the table, managed to frustrate their illustrious opponents for a valuable point.
The result means a win for Al Duhail at Al Khor on Friday will see them extend their lead to four points going into the international break.
Al Shahania, still the only team yet to register a win this season, stunned the hosts when they took the lead just nine minutes into the match.
Ali Farydoon capitalised on confusion among the Al Rayyan defenders to set up Saoud Farhan and the former Al Rayyan man drilled his shot past Fahad Baker for his first goal of the season.
The goal seemed to wake Al Rayyan from their slumber and Diego Aguirre’s wards created many chances, but could not find the net before the half-time break.
Algerian attacking midfielder Yacine Brahimi, as expected, was at the centre of their forward moves for the Lions, but it was Qatar international Abdulaziz Hatem who got the equaliser nine minutes into the second half.
The midfielder picked the ball in the Al Shahania box, held off his marker before sending a sweet strike on the turn past Mohammed al Bakri.
With Rodrigo Tabata out injured, it fell on Sebastian Soria to lift the team and the big striker made no mistake when he smashed home from close range to give Al Rayyan the lead on the hour mark.
Despite Al Rayyan’s dominance, Pepe Murcia’s men soon found themselves level.
The hardworking Farydoon held off several challenges down the left before sending in a cross into the box and Ramin Rezaeian was on hand to head home.
Also on Thursday, Al Arabi continued their dismal league run as they fell at home 2-1 to Al Sailiya on Thursday.
Heimir Hallgrimsson cut a frustrated figure as his side having gone ahead through Pierre-Michel Lasogga’s opener, failed to cause any real trouble to the visitors.
Sami Trabelsi’s men however, staged a stunning comeback in the second half as goals from Meshal al Shammari and Mbark Boussoufa moved the Peregrines to sixth.
Al Arabi have managed just one point from the last 12, leaving Hallgrimsson with a lot to ponder going into the international break.
In Friday’s matches, eighth-placed Al Wakrah will host Al Ahli, while Al Khor have a tough task at home to league leaders Al Duhail.