Lekhwiya edge out Arabi 1-0

QSL leaders Lekhwiya returned to the top of the table after picking up three key points with a hard-fought 1-0 win over hosts Al Arabi. A goal towards the end of the first half from South Korean Midfielder Nam Tae-hee was enough for Djamel Belmadi’s side, in a game thatIn a game that saw a number of yellow cards. It was Lekhwiya's 14th win of the season while Al Arabi - coached by Oswaldo Oliveira only for the second time after signing a new contract early this month - failed to add to their 6 wins so far.

In the third minute, Al Arabi created the first chance of note when defender Assie Koua Vivien brokefree of his marker and slipped in a great through pass from the left flank unfortunately no one was on hand to finish off the move.

In the 19th minute, Lekhwiya's Assim Madibo fired a long-range shot that dipped on Al Arabi goalkeeper Masoud Zeraei who reached out to his left to block the ball. In the 28th minute, Al Arabi's Luis Jimenez charged into the Lekhwiya box and chipped in a neat ball for Yusef Ahmed who missed the target from close range.Three minutes later, Al Arabi's Imoh Ezekiel zipped past his marker Mohamed Ali but his low shot was flicked away by goalkeeper Amine Lecomte what was the best move by the home side.



​Three minutes from the first-half whistle, Nam Tae Hee got his name on the score sheet to give his side a lead against the run of play. A dangerous cross came into the box and Arabi keeper Masoud Zeraei punched the ball into the South Korean international which eventually found its way into the back of the net. 

Arabi tried to find a equaliser in the second half, and came close towards the end of the game when striker Yusef Ahmed had a long distance strike well saved from Amine Lecomte. Lekhwiya eventually held out to register a narrow win, and maintain their unbeaten start to the league. The victory also means that Lekhwiya returns to the top of the table.