Al Rayyan beat Al Wakrah 1-0 with a late winner in Week 11 of the QNB Stars League at the Al Gharafa Stadium on Sunday.

Al Rayyan thus kept their title ambitions well and truly alive.

The only goal of the game was scored by Yacine Brahimi in the 90th  minute.

Al Rayyan moved on to 25 points, while Al Wakrah remained on 12. 

Following an extended break from the QNB Stars League, both sides were cautious in their approach to the opening stages and were unable to fashion too many chances.

Al Rayyan showed positive signs as they sought a breakthrough but a resolute defensive performance by Al Wakrah limited The Lions to long-range efforts in the first half.

Rodrigo Tabata first tried his luck as he skipped past the opposition, but his shot flew high over the bar. Abdelaziz Hatem also attempted from distance, but his low drive raced marginally past the outside of the post.

The second half was equally tight as Al Wakrah continued their impressive defensive performance ,but thought they had fallen behind at the midway point when Franck Kom scored.

Fortune was on their side as Kom’s excellent turn and shot in the penalty area was disallowed when the referee spotted an infringement in the build-up.

In spite of a superb defensive display from Al Wakrah, they were unable to finish the job as they came undone by a piece of creative genius in the final moments of the game. Al Rayyan won a free-kick out wide on the right side of the penalty area and, with perfect vision, Tabata deceived the defence by pulling the ball back to Brahimi who curled a marvelous right-footed strike into the far corner of the goal. 

The finish was harsh on Al Wakrah who had worked so hard as a unit.