Gianfranco Zola’s Al Arabi side survived a Gharafa fight-back to down  Al Gharafa 3-2 in a pulsating QSL matchup on Friday evening. Arabi have captain Ashkan Dejagah to thank for the three points, as the Iranian international provided a goal and an assist for his side.

Gharafa looked the better side in the early exchanges and only took three minutes to fashion their first chance. New signing Vladimir Weiss has his close range effort charged down by Arabi stopper Rajab Hamza.

Pedro Caixinia’s side looked dangerous on the break, with front man Adel Mohamed missed two guilt edged chances to open the scoring. Yet it was Arabi who opened the scoring in the match in the 24^th minute. A well worked quick corner from new signing Alan Souza found Dejagh, and his powerful shot found the back of the net after being palmed into the net by Gharafa keeper Qasem Burhan.

With Arabi taking the lead, Gharafa searched to find an equalizer brining on new signing Kristian Nemeth on the 33^rd minute. The Hungarians’ introduction had an impact for his new side; however striker Adel Mohamed lacked the composure in the final third and blazed his shot high over the bar on the 37^th minute. The first half ended 1-0 to Al Arabi.  

Al Arabi doubled their lead at the start of the second half, Dejagah delivered an inch perfect cross to an onrushing Yousef Ali who slotted past Qasem Burhan. Despite being two goals down Gharafa continued to create chances, Kristain Nemeth should of converted from close range from a flicked on Vladimir Weiss corner. Likewise Vladimir Weiss could have scored a debut goal for his side, if his effort had not stung the palms of Rajab Hamza.

Against the run of play, Arabi found a third effectively ending the competition on the 73^rd minute. New signing Javad Nekounam calmly put though to fellow new recruit Alain Souza who found the bottom left hand corner. The composed finish from the Brazilian rightly brought a smile to Gianfranco Zola’s face.

Despite being three goals down, Gharafa did mount a mini revival in the final five minutes of the tie Kristian Nemeth grabbed his first goal for his side on the 89^th minute. Nemeth also had the ball in the net in stoppage time for his new club, however he was rightly flagged offside. With the final act of the game, Iranian international Masoud Shojai scored a fine individual goal, to leave the final score 3-2 to Al Arabi.

This was the first defeat of the Pedro Caixinia Era for Gharfa. Despite the result the Cheetah’s will draw plenty of positives from this result.