Al Arabi continued their unbeaten run by beating Al Shamal 1-0 in Week 4 of the 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League at the Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday.

Tunisian forward Yousef Msakni netted the all-important goal with a penalty kick in the 56th minute.

It was the fourth consecutive victory for Al Arabi and they topped the standings with 12 points, while Al Shamal remained on six points from two wins and as many defeats.

Al Shamal too earned a penalty in the 72nd minute, but Yacine Bammou’s kick was saved by Al Arabi goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada.

The start of the match was exciting from the beginning and Al Shamal dominated with their imposing game, forcing Al Arabi players to play long balls and not giving them enough space to move the ball, especially in the middle.

The 24th minute witnessed the first threat of the match, but Al Arabi’s Ibrahim Nasser Kalla’s shot went off the right post of Al Shamal goal.

Al Shamal’s Amjad Atwan came up with a shot in the 32nd minute, but the rival goalkeeper’s brilliance foiled his attempt.

Al Arabi relied mostly on the counters to take advantage of Al Shamal’s rush to attack. In one such move, Msakni gave a cross in the 40th minute, putting Omar Al Somah against goalkeeper Babacar Seck, but Al Shamal defender Matias Nani pushed it away in time for a corner kick.

Al Arabi continued to press and Yousef Muftah almost scored in the 45th minute, but his shot was kept away by the Al Shamal goalkeeper, conceding a corner kick.

On to the second half and Al Arabi intensified their attacks. They managed to get a penalty through VAR when Al Somah was fouled by Al Shamal defender Fahad Waad and Msakni was on target from the spot.

Al Shamal pressed hard and the missed penalty by Bammou, awarded after he was fouled by Al Arabi defender Marc Munesia, underlined their woes.

Al Shamal dominated the last minutes even as Al Arabi retreated and relied on counter-attacks, but the former could not be successful for once.