Al Ahli got back to winning ways in the Qatar Stars League with a 3-0 defeat of Al Gharafa today at the Grand Hamad stadium.

Ahli had been handed a shock 2-4 defeat by Al Khor last week and there was a lot of pressure on the team to break their run of four losses in a row. They produced a measured performance to defeat Gharafa who themselves are going through a lean patch, having now lost five matches in a row themselves.

For Ahli it was their star striker Alain Dioko who gave his team a lead early in the 10^th minute. Dioko has now scored 16 goals in 17 matches, almost a goal a game, and is back at the top of the top scorers list.

This early goal set the tone for the game as Ahli continued pressurizing Gharafa. Ahli did what they do best and counter attacked with their constant forays into the opposition’s half. Their approach paid off when Mulota Kabangu doubled their advantage in the 36^th minute.

Gharafa too were looking to attack but couldn’t find the back of the net. In fact, the possession stats showed that 55 % of the ball was with Gharafa however they were toothless in front of goal. 

While Gharafa couldn’t find the breakthrough they desperately needed, Ahli looked more and more threatening and scored their third goal through their skipper Meshal Abdullah in the 51^st minute.

This win puts Ahli on par with Gharafa with both of them now having 23 points but Ahli is ahead on goal difference. Ahli is in sixth place and Gharafa in seventh. The middle of the table is crowded with only seven points separating the teams from third to seventh. 
 
With nine matches still to go, it gives all of the teams  in the middle a strong chance to finish in the top four and qualify for the end of season Qatar Cup.