Al Rayyan and Al Shahania played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Week 10 of the 2019-20 QNB Stars League at the Al Duhail Stadium on Thursday.

Abdulaziz Hatem (54th minute) and Sebastian Soria (60th) were Al Rayyan’s scorers, while Saoud Farhan (ninth minute) and Ramin Rezaein (68th) scored for Al Shahania.

Al Rayyan thus dropped two crucial points as they were emerging as serious title contenders. The Lions moved on to 22 points and Al Shahania four.

Al Shahania’s jinx of being the only team not to have registered a win in this season’s QNB Stars League continued. They remained at the bottom of the table as the tournament takes a long break after this weekend’s action. Jose Murcia’s men have to lift their game by several notches in the second leg if they are to avoid relegation.

It was Al Rayyan’s fourth draw and their six-match winning run came to an end. However, they have the record of being unbeaten along with Al Duhail.

Al Rayyan had more of the ball and opportunities even as Al Shahania fought their way in. After Al Shahania went ahead early into the game when Farhan capitalised on confusion among the Al Rayyan defenders, Diego Aguirre’s wards created many chances, but could not succeed in scoring before the half-time break.

Algerian attacking midfielder Yacine Brahimi, as expected, was at the centre of their forward moves. However, Hatem, Ahmed Abdelmaqsoud and Soria could not find the target. Some creative goalkeeping by Mohammed Al Bakri did not help their cause either.

Brisk action followed in the second session and Al Rayyan were soon on level terms, with Hatem becoming the goal taker.

Al Rayyan were soon 2-1 up as Soria gave finishing touch to Mowafaq Awad’s cross from the right.

Ali Ferydoon then set the stage for Al Shahania’s equaliser scored by Rezaein.