Ahmed Alaaeldin scored the lone goal as Al Gharafa defeated Al Arabi 1-0 in a strong Week 19 match of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday.

Alaaeldin’s goal came in the 48th minute to increase Al Gharafa’s points tally to 40, while Al Arabi remained on 23 points.

The match started on a cautious note, with both sides appearing to be sizing up each other, knowing fully well the pedigree and quality of their opponents.

Al Gharafa, however, began to assert themselves in the match as the game progressed, with more possession falling to their side, which they were, however, not able to convert as was expected.

Yacine Brahimi came close to opening the scoring for The Cheetahs in the 25th minute, but his close-range shot was parried by goalkeeper Jassim Al Hail for a corner kick, which was also not converted.

Al Arabi also had a couple of chances of their own, but their forwards were guilty of profligacy in front of goals.

With no goals separating both teams, the first half of the very eventful match ended with the hopes of a better second.

Al Gharafa, who are in serious contention for the top of the standings, came out of the dugout with a stronger determination than the first and their efforts were rewarded soon as Alaaeldin found the target with a cool right-leg finish, after an overlapping run that started with a sublime Ferjani Sassi pass.

The goal was like a shot in the arm for Al Gharafa as they continued to press harder against The Dream Team, who were forced to be on the defensive for a greater part of second half.

Al Arabi’s Omar Al Somah almost got the equalizer in the 52nd minute, but his right-footed shot painfully hit the upright while the rebound was parried by goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar off the awaiting boot of substitute Hassan Alaaedin, who was well positioned for a simple tap-in.

With the tension boiling over, Al Arabi were reduced to 10 men in the 77th minute after Wassim Keddari got the marching orders for a bad tackle on Al Gharafa’s Fabricio Diaz.

With their superior numbers, Al Gharafa continued to run riot in Al Arabi’s half of the field, but they could not add to their lead despite several attempts. The lone goal proved to be just enough in the end as Pedro Martins’ men ended the game with the maximum points in their kitty.