Tabata stars in Al Rayyan victory.

Al Rayyan have Talismanic captain Rodrigo Tabata to thank as he provided an assist and a goal as Al Rayyan came from behind to defeat Al Kharitiyat 2-1 at Al Gharafa stadium on Saturday evening.

Al Rayyan had the upper hand in the early exchanges, having three early chances to open the scoring. All three efforts from Koh Myong-jin, Fahad Khalfan and Sergio Garcia all flew way off the target.

However it was Al Kharitiyat who opened up the scoring against the run of play.  On the 35^th minute Yahia Kebe was bundled down in the final third, the Bukina Fasio international dusted himself of to dispatch the free kick via a generous Al Rayyan deflection.

After the goal, Al Rayyan sprung into life and found an equalizer just seven minutes later in emphatic fashion. Rodrigo Tabata delivered a pinpoint freekick to Rayyan striker Sergio Garcia. The former Espanyol striker volleyed the ball in from close range, much to the delight of the Rayyan fans.



The Lions could of gone into the break in the lead, if Garcia’s flicked effort could of crept into the far post. Luckly Al Karitiyat keeper Ahmed Soufiane was on hand to make the save, the first half finished 1-1.

 In the second half Al Rayyan continued to look for the lead. Qatari international Hamid Ismail had two guilt edged efforts, which failed to find the back of the net. Al Kharitiyat had the first major chance of the second half as Jordanian international striker Hassan Abdel-Fattah had his looping effort tipped onto the post from Rayyan keeper Omar Bari.  

Al Rayyan where given a penalty in the 63^rd minute when Kharitiyat defender Domingos handled the ball in the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot, and Rodrego Tabata stepped up to thump in his 15th goal of the QSL season.

Al Kharitiyat did push for an equalizer, but where shut out time and time again by an impressive Al Rayyan backline. Amir Osim’s side did have one final chance to grab a crucial point, however former Al Rayyan striker Jaralla Al-Marri’s 86^th minute effort flew over Omar Bari’s goal.

The victory leaves Al Rayyan as comfortable point’s leaders at the top of the QSL table going into the three week break for the AFC U23 tournament. 

  
 Pedro starts with a win for Al Gharafa
 
Al Gharafa started life under new coach Pedro Caixinha with a valuable 2-0 win over basement side Measimeer at Al Wakrah stadium on Saturday evening.

Both goals scored by the Congolese striker Alain Dioko at the 51^st and 67^th minutes respectively. Al Gharafa had been on a run of two consecutive defeats in the league and the result will serve to boost the club who are looking to turn their league campaign after struggling under previous coach Péricles Chamusca.



The first half was a tight affair, with both sides looking for the opening goal. Despite a host of chances, neither side could convert their chances with the first half ended goalless.

In the second half Al Gharafa pushed for an opener and they were rewarded with six minutes of the restart. Alain Dioko smashed in from close range, much to the delight of his new coach. Mesaimeer did push hard for an equalizer but it proved to be the undoing of the bottom side.

 Al Gharafa scored their second goal, all but confirming the points in the 67^th minute on the break, thanks to Alain Dioko again. Last year’s QSL top scorer nodded in from close range from a Moayad Hassan cross.

Despite a late Meisameer fightback the Cheetahs held on for the vital three points. The victory for Al Gharafa will serve as a timely confidence booster ahead of the break for the AFC U23 Championships. As for Meisameer, they are still rock-bottom of the QSL nine points adrift of safety.