Al Gharafa welcomed the league leaders Al Sadd to the Thani bin Jassim stadium; the Wolves were still unbeaten going into round 11 and they were looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.

But Gharafa hadn’t read the script and in the 23^rd minute Brazilian winger Nene put the Cheetahs in front with a sublime volley. The cross came in from the left courtesy of left back Shami.

The home side managed to frustrate the Wolves until the half time whistle as they kept their one goal advantage.

Then in the second half Al Sadd started to dominate the possession as they looked for the equalizer. However as they poured more men forward, they left themselves vulnerable to the counter attack with Nene and Lissandro going close on a number of occasions.

Then things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Nene got his second. Initially the shot looked to be on for Lissandro as he swiveled in the box but he was quickly shut down, as the Argentine lost his balance he managed to toe poke the ball to Nene who took full advantage of not being marked, putting his side two goals to the good.

This finally woke up Al Sadd as just three minutes later they replied with a goal of their own.  Haydoos who had gone closest for the Wolves in the first half, turned provider with a cheeky chip over the top as right-back Ismael run into the box, the keeper came out but could only watch as the ball was flicked onto the far post where Abdel Kareem Hassan was waiting unmarked and he nodded in the equalizer.

From then on Al Sadd started to dominate possession and looked the more like to score again!

Then the pendulum swung in Al Sadd’s favour when Haydoos was brought down in the box by left-back Mustafa Abdi. The challenge was rash and the referee didn’t hesitate to point to the spot.  It was also Abdi’s second yellow of the night as the Cheetahs would have to see out the match with just ten men.

Haydoos stepped up and scored the vital goal which saw them level the game at two apiece (78’).

Then in the 83^rd minute Al Gharafa suffered more heartache when Ismael sent in a deflected cross, the ball fell kindly to Sadd captain Baloushi who tapped in from close range.

And that was it on a night when Gharafa looked to be in charge. Al Sadd showed however why they have been top of the league as their strength and resilience shown through in the end.

The wolves move 3 points clear of Lekhwiya at the top of the table and Gharafa stay in 3^rd with one point separating them and QSC.