Match of the Week – Al Arabi vs. Al SaddTonight’s matches were billed as the “clash of the champions” due to the fact that Rayyan, Lekhwiya, Sadd and Arabi had each won at least 4 league titles over the years.
The fixtures lived up to expectation with Rayyan dismantling Lekhwiya in an amazing comeback in the early kick off.
Arabi who had won and then lost their previous two matches were looking to get back on track but that would always prove to be difficult against Al Sadd.
The Wolves too were looking to get back to winning ways after an uninspiring goalless draw at home to Al Khor in the previous Round of the Qatar Stars League.
A Xavi freekick was lofted into the box and left-back Abdul Karim Hassan rose highest to put the Wolves into the lead (13’).
But it didn’t take long for Arabi to respond; Rod Fanni broke down the right and sent in a fizzing low cross. Arabi striker Paulinho reacted quickest with a beautiful half volley to equalize for the Reds (13’).
Dutra was looking lively and on the 35th minute came close after he was put in by Ashkan Mohammed but Arabi keeper Zarayi came out quickly to stop the danger and he swept up the ball.
Belhadj could then have made it 2-1 when he cut in from the left and sent a curling effort just over the bar (40’).
In the second half, the game opened up and Arabi began to wrestle back possession. No easy feat against one of the best passing sides in the league.
However just when it looked as though Arabi might be able to get a sniff at goal, their key man Boualem Khoukhi was shown a straight red for a rash challenge on Sadd striker Muriqui in the middle of the park.
Although this changed the complexion of the game, Sadd found it hard to make the one man advantage count. In fact it was Arabi who still managed to have the more dangerous chances as they played on the counter attack.
Arabi then shocked everyone when they went into the lead. Right back Ali Jassemi sent a searching ball up top to the tireless Paulinho who did well to shake off Sadd defender Kasola before finishing with his weaker left foot for his second of the match (61).
New signing Mosaab could have wrapped things up for Arabi when a beautiful outside-of-the-foot delivery by Ashkan Mohammed found the left back unmarked, but he lacked composure when it counted most, snatching his shot across the face of goal (71’).
Sadd then came back when Ashkan, who up till then had played well for the Reds, was deemed to have fouled Xavi in the box. The replay showed that the decision was questionable as the contact was minimal.
Muriqui elected to take the spot kick and waited for the keeper to make the first move before slotting home the equaliser.
Sadd were now finally making the extra man count as they went on wave after wave of attack.
Arabi showed plenty of spirit but tired late on and managed to hold out for the point.
Rayyan put down a marker with emphatic comeback against Lekhwiya away
Al Rayyan gave a stirring performance tonight at the Abdulla bin Khalifa stadium with a 3-1 comeback against defending Champions – Lekhwiya.
Lekhwiya had lost and drawn their previous two games and could not afford another negative result. Al Rayyan who are unbeaten so far this season were perhaps playing the defending QSL champions at their most vulnerable.
And it showed as the Red Knights were on the back foot fight from the off.
The first 20 minutes saw a sustained period of pressure from Rayyan as they produced some fast attacking forays but Lekhwiya were up to the challenge and soaked up the pressure.
On the 21st minute the first real chance fell to Lekhwiya when the Korean Nam Tae-Hee went on a gut bursting counter attack and released Ali Afif who just had his shot blocked with a last ditch effort from Mousa Haroun.
Rayyan’s first big chance came on the half hour mark when a poorly headed clearance from Tresor Abdullah found its way to Soria who smashed a powerful shot towards the bottom right.
Lekhwiya were making uncharacteristic errors, giving the ball away cheaply. Frustration was beginning to tell as Ahmed Yasser was brandished with a yellow after a reckless challenge on Caceres (37’).
Against the run of play, Msakni chased down a Vladimir Weiss through-ball and was fouled in the process by Otavio, the Tunisian picked himself up and took the penalty kick which he missed but luckily for him the rebound fell kindly and he slotted home the opener (44’).
After the restart Lekhwiya’s Nam had great chance to put his side in front but Omar Barry pulled out a great reaction save at close range to keep his side in it.
The match became more and more up open as both sides went for broke before half time. Rayyan’s Mohammed Juma’s shot looked goal-bound but a terrific save from Claude Amine saw the ball strike the bar.
In the second half Rayyan again continued to pressure and the frantic pace from the first half was once again evident.
However Lekhwiya were proving to be more effective as they soaked up Rayyan’s attacks and countered with devastating pace.
Nam Tae-Hee found himself on the edge of the box and the ball was squared to him, the Korean took a clever first touch and smashed a powerful shot which struck the wood work (59’).
Rayyan’s Caceres then looked to be through on goal but again Lekhwiya’s keeper Claude Amine came out quick to block the shot (61’).
Garcia struck the near post with a glancing header from a set piece, the resulting clearance was sloppy and somehow the ball fell to Rayyan’s Paraguayan midfielder Caceres who chipped the ball over the keeper to make it 1-1.
Just when it looked like it was going to end honours even, Sabastian Soria made a lung bursting run down the left before sending a deep cross over Lekwhiya’s defence. Spaniard Sergio Garcia came into the box unmarked and struck a sweet volley to send the Rayyan fans into raptures (82’).
In the 87th minute Rayyan made it a comeback to remember when they won a freekick after Weiss was deemed to fouled Abdlmotaal. Korean midfielder - Koh sent in a curling effort which eluded everyone and came off the post, none other than Soria was there to seal the win for his side.
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