Al Kharitiyat 2 Lekhwiya 3

Lekhwiya leave it late to down Kharitiyat
QSL champions Lekhwiya needed a dramatic last minute winner from Ismael Mohammed to defeat Al Kharitiyat 3-2 in a pulsating match at Al Khor stadium.

Lekhwiya took an early lead courtesy of Mohammed Razak, a smart turn in the box evaded the oncoming Kharaitiyat defender allowing the Qatari international to smash the ball into the net from close range. Lekhwiya looked the better team in the first half, however they couldn’t convert their chances and the first half ended 1-0.

The second half started in disastrous circumstances for the Red Nights with defender Khalid Muftah heading into his own net. His misguided header looped over Lekhwiya stopper Amine Lecomte, to give Amir Osim’s side an equalizer.

Al Kharaityat kept up the pressure and where eventually rewarded on the 82^nd minute. Striker Jaralla Al-Marri had plenty of time and space to place his header to give the Thunders a lead in the match. The defending QSL champions went about looking for an equalizer and found one just five minutes later from an unlikely source.



Defender Mohammed Moussa tapped in at the back post from close range after a Nam Tae Hee’s free-kick was diligently flicked on by Chico Flores. The defensive duo had linked up to give the QSL champs a deserved equalizer. 2-2 game on.

Lekhwiya completed the come back on the 90^th minute with a fine goal worthy of winning the game. Moammed Razak played a smart pass to captain Karim Boudiaf. His flicked return fell into the path of attacker Ismael Mohammed, which sailed into the back of the net. Lekhwiya held on for all three points, much to the relief of head-coach Djamel Belmadi.
 
Al Wakrah 3 Al Sadd 1

Wakrah punish sorry Al Sadd.

Al Wakrah pulled off one of the shocks of round 16 of the QSL defeating Al Sadd 3-1 at Al Wakrah stadium on Thursday evening.

Al Wakrah made an ideal start to proceedings when Argentine striker Sasha’s tap in effort just crossed the line to give the Blue Waves an early goal on the 8^th minute. Despite protests from the Sadd defense, the goal was rightly allowed to stand.

Shocked by the opener Sadd sprang into action, and eventually found the back of the net and a deserved equalizer from Qatari international captain Hassan Al Haydoos. With five minutes left in the first half, the winger hit an acrobatic overhead kick from a pinpoint cross to give his side a lifeline in the match.



Many would of expected Sadd to push on in the second half, but it was the home side who edged ahead in the second half. On the 56^th minute a thunderous strike from Portugeese midfielder Rúben Amorim hit the cross bar and striker Mahir Youseff was free to nod in the rebound.

Al Sadd pushed hard for an equalizer, but hit their third goal of the game on the break on the 83^rd minute. A long goal kick and a uncharacteristic slip from defender Mohammed Kasola gave striker Sasha all the time in the world to grab his second goal of the match and to deservedly give Wakrah all three points. 

 
Qatar Sports Club 1 Al Arabi 1

Qatar and Al Arabi share the spoils.

Qatar Sports Club came from behind to gain a vital point in their quest to avoid relegation, in a tight 1-1 draw with Al Arabi at Al Gharafa stadium on Thursday evening.

Both sides have made changes in the January transfer window, and the early exchanges lacked any clear chances of any note. That of course changed thanks to Iranian international Ashkan Dejagah in the 45^th minute.


The midfielder latched onto a long ball from his team-mate and had the pace and composure to outrun two QSC defenders and to slot past Kings Stopper Mohamed Mubarak, the first half ended 1-0 to Al Arabi.



In the second half QSC put pressure on Zola's boys and just reward came in the 78th minute when Mousa Allaq found the back of the net to spoil Zola's bid for first win in four games. His close range finish came after an exquisite assist from Korean midfielder Han.
 
However, Thursday's hard-fought draw was a welcome result for both sides who have endured recent bad from in the QSL, although you expect that Brazilian tactician Sebastian Lazaroni will be the happier of the two coaches.