Al Arabi staged a great fightback to beat Al Gharafa 3-1 in Week 21 of the QNB Stars League in front of home fans on Saturday.

Diego Jardel (45+9) and Kwame Karikari (73rd and 81st minutes) scored the goals for Al Arabi, who thus extended their incredible winning streak to four matches and took their points tally to 24.

Al Gharafa’s goal was scored by Brazilian defender Rubert Jose in the 42nd minute.

The Dream Team’s previous successive wins were against Al Kharaitiyat, Al Markhiya and Al Rayyan.

Al Gharafa had more of the ball and naturally dominated the proceedings. The Cheetahs had even enjoyed 55 per cent of possession and forced 10 corner kicks compared to just one by Al Arabi, coached by croat Luka Bonacic.

The defeat dealt a serious blow to the hopes of Al Gharafa, who stayed on 32 points the same as Umm Salal who held Al Rayyan 2-2 in the day’s another fixture, to finish among the top four and thus qualify for the Qatar Cup.

It was Al Gharafa who created more chances from the beginning and they duly took the lead through Rubert.

However, Brazilian midfielder Diego Jardel, who played an instrumental role in their 3-1 win over Al Rayyan in Week 20, was at it again when he converted from the spot in the ninth minute of first-half stoppage time.

The penalty was awarded after Al Gharafa goalkeeper Qassim Burhan made a lunging foul on Mudhir Abdurab. The play was stopped for some time and Burhan was shown a red card.

Star Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder was shown a yellow card for arguing with the referee over the incident.

Jardel once again was the livewire in the Al Arabi midfield.  

In came Yousuf Hassan and he came up with a couple of good saves. However, the Al Gharafa citadel fell twice more when Ghanaian striker Karikari found the net in the space of eight minutes. He first scored off a cross from Mohammed Salem after evading the marking of Brazilian medio Diego Amado, while the second was a solo effort.

Karikari, who played for Al Markhiya in the first phase of this season’s QNB Stars League, has now scored eight goals.