Al Arabi gave themselves a good consolation by defeating Al Kharaitiyat 1-0 in Week 3 of the QNB Stars League at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.

Mudir Abdurabu netted the all-important goal in the 14th minute as Al Arabi, who had lost big-time to Al Sadd in the previous round, moved to six points. They had beaten Al Khor in Week 1.

Al Kharaitiyat were dismissed to their third successive defeat, having earlier lost to Al Sadd and Al Shahania. 

The goal originated from a corner kick taken by Diego Jardel from the left and a waiting Mudir had only to nod the ball home after it was cut back to him from the right by Mohammed Salah El Neel.

Al Arabi had more of the ball in the first half even as Mohammed Abdulrab’s free-kick that went wide was the closest chance Al Kharaitiyat had.

Al Kharaitiyat could not field their new recruit – Algerian midfielder Jugurtha Hamroun who last represented Al Sadd.

Feeble attempts by Atiyah Faez (free-kick in the 73rd minute that went straight to goalkeeper Masoud Zarayi) and Abdulrab (a header collected by the goalkeeper) in the dying minutes did not help Al Kharaitiyat’s cause either.

Al Kharaitiyat, who stayed in the QNB Stars League by winning the play-off against Second Division runners-up Al Wakrah, had a last chance at the stroke of the whistle, but for a goalline save by Zarayi.