The round 20 Qatar Stars League clash between Al Arabi and Al Wakrah was separated by a single goal in the early kick off today.

Both teams had slipped down the table and Wakrah in particular could afford another loss as they were teetering on the edge of the relegation zone. Al Shahania dramatic win over Umm Salal only added to the pressure.

The game was a nervy and tentative affair as neither side could afford another loss, in the first half Arabi had three shots on target whilst the visitor could only muster two. In addition to the few real opportunities was a tremendous amount of foals which disrupted the rhythm and flow of the game.

In the second half Arabi came out with more purpose and made some useful chances but could find that clinical edge necessary to put the ball in the back of the net. 

In the 69^th minute Paulinho finally broke the deadlock for Arabi with a close range shot which was just outside the six yard box. He was assisted by the recently returned Qatari midfielder Boualem Khoukhi. It proved to be the only shot on target for the Dream Team in the entire second half but in the end it was enough to secure all three points.

After the goal there was a visible change of momentum as Wakrah desperately looked to restore parity.

However they too could only get two shots on target in the entire second half, both of which came from the adventurous Mohsin Mitwali. But Arabi were able to force him to shoot from distance as he cut an increasingly frustrated figure.

The loss sees Wakrah slip down into the mire of the relegation zone despite changing their head coach a few weeks earlier. Al Arabi head coach Jose Daniel Carreño will be happy that his team were able to hold onto their slender lead and show some collective discipline as they saw the game out.

Al Arabi is now in 8^th place with 25 points.