Al Gharafa scored a 3-1 win against a challenging Al Khor in Week 12 of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League at the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium of Al Gharafa club on Saturday, January 11, 2025.

The result saw The Cheetahs move into second place in the standings with a total tally of 24 points, while Al Khor remained at the bottom in 12th place with seven points.

Yacine Brahimi scored from the spot to put Al Gharafa ahead before Joselu struck for the side to go up 2-0 at half-time. While Brahimi (33rd minute), Joselu (43rd minute) and Ahmed Al Janahi (90+3 minute) scored for the winners, Sofiane Hanni pulled one back for Al Khor in the 58th minute of the match.

The game had a gripping start with both sides pushing to find an early breakthrough. In the very fourth minute, Brahimi attempted a kick at the target while sliding in, but it went over the bar.

Ten minutes later, Al Khor goalkeeper Ahmed Basher Ali made a leaping save as he pushed away a threatening Dame Traore header.

Two minutes later, it was Al Gharafa who had a close call as Joselu prevented a Hanni volley from going in after it beat an advancing goalkeeper.

In the 29th minute, the Al Khor goalkeeper flung to his right to stop a dangerous Florinel Coman kick. That however went in vain as minutes later, Al Khor’s Ruben Semedo pulled down Coman inside the danger area and the referee immediately called for a penalty. Brahimi stepped up to score and Al Gharafa were well on their way.

The Cheetahs soon doubled the lead with Joselu making a beautiful strike following a fine thru pass from Rodrigo. The ball hit the crossbar before going in.

In the second session, Al Gharafa looked to attack more and in the 49th minute a header hit the left post.

Al Khor then found their rhythm albeit briefly as Hanni showed his class with a fine strike from top of the box after being set up by a pass from Ayman Hussein (1-2).

That provided Al Khor an opportunity to try and match up with the formidable rivals, but their efforts were denied by a strong Al Gharafa defence.

Towards the end, The Cheetahs added more to their joy as Al Janahi made the most of a Mohammed Muntari cross to score from the left, beating the lone goalkeeper to find the right corner.