Al Markhiya defeated Al Rayyan 2-1 in Week 6 of the 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League at the Al Duhail Stadium on Wednesday.

Ayman Hussein (10th minute) and substitute Ali Saeed Al Mohannadi (83rd minute) scored for Al Markhiya.

Captain Dame Traore (45+2) scored Al Rayyan’s goal.

Al Markhiya moved on to eight points with their second victory. The promoted side had beaten reigning champions Al Sadd in the opening round.

Al Rayyan remained on one point after suffering their fifth defeat.

The Lions’ only point came from their goalless draw against Umm Salal. They had lost to Al Shamal, Al Arabi, Al Duhail and Al Ahli earlier.

The match witnessed Al Rayyan’s Colombian forward James Rodriguez take the field for the first time this season after recovering from his injury.

Initially, Al Rayyan tried to gain control over the midfield and attacked from the flanks, while Al Markhiya played defensively and mostly resorted to counter-attacks.

Al Rayyan came close to scoring in the seventh minute through Yohan Boli, but his shot went close to the right post, before Iraqi Ayman Hussein managed to put Al Markhiya in the lead with a deceptive shot from the edge of the penalty box that beat Al Rayyan goalkeeper Fahad Younes.

Al Markhiya’s Moroccan Driss Fettouhi was denied by the crossbar in the 35th minute.

Al Rayyan managed to equalize in stoppage time of first half when Traore headed in a corner kick into the Al Markhiya net.

Al Rayyan appeared more determined in the second half even as the rivals adopted a cautious approach.

After both sides missed chances, Ali Saeed netted Al Markhiya’s winner off a pass from Jugurtha Hamroun.