Al Arabi beat Al Wakrah 1-0 in Week 16 of the 2020-21 season QNB Stars League at the Al Arabi Stadium on Sunday.

Mehrdad Mohammadi scored the winner by converting a penalty in the 77th minute as Al Arabi clinched their sixth victory of the season.

Al Arabi moved on to 23 points, the same as Al Ahli but with better goal difference, while Al Wakrah remained on 14 points.

The match got off to a fast start, with Sebastian Soria earning a corner kick in the second minute as Al Arabi looked to take early control.

In the ninth minute, referee Abdulhadi Al Ruaile overturned his decision of awarding a penalty to Al Arabi after Al Wakrah’s Mohammed Emad tried to stop Yousef Msakni, who stormed into the box from the left flank.  

The Dream Team continued to dominate Al Wakrah with attacking football and Mohammadi almost put them ahead with a rocket from the edge of the box, but just missed the target in 20th minute.

Msakni was also on target from outside the box on the half-hour mark, but Al Wakrah goalkeeper Saoud Al Khater had no problems in catching the ball.

Soon after the attack, Al Wakrah’s Omar Ali gave Al Arabi a scare with a dangerous shot from distance, but goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada did well to clear the ball.

Seven minutes before half-time, Ibrahim made another remarkable save with a diving effort after Abdennour Belhocini attempted to score from long range.

Al Wakrah looked an improved side in the last few minutes of the first half, but the stalemate persisted as players walked into the tunnel.

Al Arabi looked dangerous in the second half as well. They finally got the breakthrough when a charging Msakni was brought down by Ousmane Coulibaly close to the goal, and the referee this time had no hesitation in signalling a spot kick. Mehrdad made no mistake with a confident push in the centre, with goalkeeper diving on his right.

Al Arabi kept their lead intact till final whistle, giving no chance to Al Wakrah for a comeback by continuing an aggressive display.