Keita the hero as El Jaish defeat Muaither 2-1

El Jaish came from a goal down to defeat relegation strugglers Muaither 2-1 on Thursday evening at Al Gharafa stadium. Phillipe Birol’s side took an early lead from the penalty spot at the start of the second half, but Jaish duly fought back with former Malian international Seydou Keita scoring the winner with ten minutes left to play.

The first half was a timid affair, with Muaither’s defence working hard to keep out the El Jaish attack. However in the second half that all changed when Muaither were awarded a penalty on the 50th minute mark. Moroccan attacker Ayoub Ouadrassi stepped up for the stallions and confidently dispatched the ball into the bottom right hand corner, just out of the reach of Jaish stopper Khalifa Ababacar.



Sabri Lamouchi’s side kicked into life after conceding the lead, grabbing an impressive equalizer through Uzbekistan international Sardor Rashidov. Brazilian attacker drove into the Muaither penalty box, showing a good turn of pace to beat two defenders. His shot rebounded off a Muaither defender, and fell into the path of Rashidov who lashed a perfect drilled shot into the bottom corner to give Jaish a lifeline. 

Jaish grew rapidly in confidence, and began to pepper the Muaither goal with shots. The pressure eventually tolled as Seydou Keita nodded in the winner on the 80th minute. Jaish put together a slick passing move in the Muather penalty box, with defender Murad Naji knocking in a inch perfect cross to Keita who produced a diving header to give his side all three points, and their thirteenth win of the season. 

 

Al Sailiya shock Al Gharafa with 3-2 win

Al Sailiya needed a stoppage time winner from striker Temurkhuja Abdukholiqov to defeat Al Gharafa 3-2 to give their survival chances a major boost on Thursday evening. 

Sami Trabelsi’s team made a perfect start to the match against Al Gharafa taking the lead on the 24th minute through January signing Abdukholiqov. The Uzbeki striker latched onto a ball forward, getting the better of Gharafa defender George Kwasi before cooly slotting away the opening goal of the match. 

Making up for his defensive mistake for the opening goal, Kwasi scored his sides equalizing goal on the 31st minute. A drifted freekick caused panic in the Al Sailiya penalty area,  Mohammed Razak’s header rebounded of keeper Gregory Gomis leaving Kwasi with the simplest of finishes to settle the scores.

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Seven minutes later Al Sailiya fought their way back into the lead, again with a January signing making a key contribution. Midfielder Wagner Ribero curled in a perfect cross which eluded keeper Yusef Hassan and found the back of the net. Sailiya headed into the first half break with a 2-1 lead. 

Al Gharafa pushed hard for an equalizer and eventually broke Al Sailiya resistance in second half stoppage time. With 92 minutes on the clock, Johnson Kendrick cut the ball across the penalty area, fortunately Moayad Hassan was on hand to lash the ball in to level the scores at the death. 

Al Sailiya had other ideas and in the final minute of extra time Abdukholiqov struck his second of the match to give his side a vital three points. Romanian winger Valentin Lazăr saw his shot palmed away by Yusef Hassan falling into the path of the Uzbeki striker who made no mistake from close range to give Sami Trabelsi’s side a much needed win.