El Jaish took their time to wake up tonight at the Grand Hamad Stadium but once they did Al Arabi simply couldn’t keep up with them. Two goals scored on either side of the break by Jaish was enough to destroy Arabi’s spirits as the Soldiers took all three points and thereby kept the pressure on Al Rayyan.

Both sides came out of the traps playing an open and free flowing game, however there was little to show for it after the first 25 minutes with neither side registering a chance of note.

But on the half hour mark El Jaish finally came alive, as Isa’s cross was cleared by Arabi defender Rod Fanni, the ball fell to Jaish’s Abdelraouf who did well with a powerful low shot from 25 meters out which nestled in the bottom left corner (29’).

El Jaish now pressed home their advantage when a low cross found Wagner in the box, he had a crack at goal but his shot was deflected to his fellow countryman Romarinho who from close range made no mistake for the Soldier’s second of the night (33’).

Zola looked a worried man as Arabi went into the tunnel at half time two goals down and with no real chances to speak of.

After the restart, Arabi seemed to be handling Jaish’s pressure and also mounting their own credible attack but with only one holding midfielder, the Dream Team again came unstuck.

The Uzbek Rashidov found himself through on goal and with only the keeper to beat; he coolly sent his shot low and past the sprawling keeper (54’).

Al Arabi finally registered a good chance in the 72nd minute when Ashkan sent in a cross from the right and Al Emadi was at the far post with a lunging effort that went just over the bar. 

In the 75^th minute Mohammed Methnani got himself on the scoresheet when he sent in another long range effort from a central position on edge of the box.

Then on 79 minutes Boualem Khoukhi hit a powerful freekick at goal and Jaish’s keeper -Khalifa had to use every inch of his rangy frame to push the ball onto the post.

The final ten minutes ended as they began as both sides played an open game but Arabi simply couldn’t break through a resolute El Jaish defence.

The result sees Jaish secure their position in second place for yet another week and Arabi move down to 5^th in the Qatar Stars League.