Meshal at the double as Ahli beat Al Arabi 4-2

Skipper Meshal Abdulla was the hero for Al Ahli, grabbing a brace to power the brigadiers to a 4-2 win over local rivals Al Arabi on Saturday evening. Ahli scored three goals in the first half, before taking a four goal lead in the second half from January signing Ali Ferydoon. Al Arabi pulled two goals back from Luis Jimenez, but it proved too little too late for Osvaldo Oliveria’s side. 

Ahli made a dream start in  the 7th minute, Al Ahli skipper and forward Abdulla scored histeam's first and his season's eighth goal in spectacular fashion, sending delirious home fans into a rapturous celebration.Midfielder Younes Ali clipped in a near-perfect cross off a free-kick and despite pressure Abdullah produced a snap-header with a cleverly-judge deflection that pushed the ball past goalkeeper Rajab Hamza. Abdullah celebrated his team's opening goal with an impromptu cartwheel as the home fans cheered on the inspiring captain and Qatar international.

In the 15th minute, the home team doubled the lead through Iranian midfielder Pejman Montazeri. Younes Ali once again provided a well-executed corner kick that was headed towards Pejman by John Benson inside the Al Arabi box. Unmarked, Pejman headed the ball over the head of Al Arabi goalkeeper Hamza who was beaten by the flight of the ball that just sailed above his head.

In the 19th minute, Al Arabi's Jimenez produced a snap-header from close range but his deflection was pouched by Al Ahli goalkeeper Abdulla Al-Dosari.

Nine minutes from the first-half whistle, Abdulla scored his second goal of the match off a penalty kick, to put the match beyond doubt.  In a reckless tackle, Abdulla was brought down by Al Arabi's Rami Fayez resulting in a penalty kick awarded by referee Fahad Al-Marri. Abdullah went for the top left of the net as Ahl Ahli went 3-0 up on home soil.

In the 66th minute, Ahli further stretched their lead to 4-0.  January signing Ali Ferydoon charged into the Al Arabi box and oncegoalkeeper Hamza stepped out of his position, the Al Ahli player chipped the ball into the net with absolute ease to give the home team a 4-0 lead.

Yusef Adam’s side eased off in the second half, and Al Arabi threatened a late comeback as Jimenez scored two late goals - one from close range in the 76th minute and a freekick in stoppage time. The win ensures that Al Ahli have picked  up their sixth win of the season, ensuring that Ahli have derby bragging rights over rivals Al Arabi. 

Slick Al Gharafa ease past Al Shahaniya

Al Gharafa produced a slick performance to beat relegation threatened Al Shahania 3-0 on Saturday evening.Goals from Abdulghani Muneer, Vladimir Weiss and Abdulaziz Hatem ensured it was a comfortable nights work for Pedro Caixinia’s side. 

The home side took the emphaisis, and in the 6th minute, fans saw the first of many saves from Al Shahania keeper Khalifa Al-Dosari. Al Gharafa's Kooky Han eased past his marker and slipped a curling shot towards the goal from the edge of the Al Shahania box but his shot was smartly blocked by Al-Dosari.

Moments later, Al-Dosari was called on once again to produce another block, this time off a shot from Al Gharafa's  Slovakian winger Vladimir Weiss as the visitors managed to thwart the move with slick defending.

In the 20th minute, hosts Al Gharafa grabbed a deserved lead. Al Shahania’s Jassem Al-Jaber- stationed close to his own goalmouth mistakenly deflected a cross towards Muneer who calmly slotted the ball Al-Dosari for his side's opening goal. It was Muneer's second goal of the season.

Eleven minutes later, Al-Dosari rose to the occasion by blocking a powerful shot by Al Gharafa striker Lawrence Quaye from close range. As both teams walked off the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium pitch, Al Gharafa enjoyed the better of the stats by dominating ball possession at 57 percent.

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Five minutes into the second half,  Al Gharafa found a second through the tireless work of Vladimir Weiss produced a moment of  magic to score his team's second goal. The Slovakian picked the ball up in his own half and went on a mazy run, beating a host of Shahania players before slotting in from close range. It was the flying wingers tenth strike of the season. 

Al Gharafa completed the win on the 89th minute when Qatar international midfielder Abdulaziz Hatem swept the ball into the back of the net with a curling effort that had Al Shahania keeper Khalifa Al-Dosari well beaten. The win means that Al Gharafa remain in fifth place in the QSL standings.