Tabata the hero as defending champs Al Rayyan edge Al Ahli

Qatar Stars League (QSL) defending championships Al Rayyan on Wednesday relied on a brace from star striker Rodrigo Tabata to beat Al Ahli 2-1.

In the round-six clash at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Tabata scored twice from the penalty spot to power his side to a well-fought win. For Al Ahli, captain and striker Meshal Abullah reduced the deficit from the penalty spot in the second half penalty kick in the 65th minute.

With former player and captain Fabio Cesar watching from the stands, the star-studded Al Rayyan side showed early intent to dominate the proceedings. But predictably Al Ahli,  who recently reinstated head coach Yousef Adam, resisted with rough tackles on the Al Sadd Stadium pitch.In the third minute, Al Rayyan also hit back with similar intent with Daniel Goumou bringing down Abdul Hussain resulting in a free-kick.

Seconds later, Al Ahli's Hussain fired a bullet from close range,beating the Al Sadd goalkeeper but the ball ricocheted off the goalpost in the 4th minute. In the 8th minute, Al Rayyan's Gonzalo Viera produced a snap-header off a corner kick but his deflection flew above the Al Ahli crossbar in the first serious attempt at goal by the defending champions.

The tension on the pitch became obvious when Al Sadd's Goumou brought down Al Ahli's Fred Dabanka in the 10th minute, resulting in a shortstoppage in play. In the first 15 minutes of play in the round six clash, Al Rayyan tipped the scales with 54 percent of the possession compared to 46 percent by Al Ahli.

In the 16th minute, Tabata produced a spectacular hack-heel deflectionfrom close range but his sharp shot was blocked by goalkeeper Amer Al-Dosari. With current Qatar national team coach Jorge Fossati taking notes inthe stands, Al Rayyan managed four corners in the first 30 minutes in what was an exhibition of all-out attack on the Al Ahli defense line.

In the 34th minute, striker Sebastian Soria attempted a flick into the Al Ahli net but his shot from close range flew above the crossbar in the fast-paced game. A minute before the end of the first half, Tabata fired a bullet towards Al Ahli goalmouth but goalkeeper Al-Dosari punched away thelow ball.

In injury time, Tabata lifted Al Rayyan with a well-taken penalty kick.Referee Al-Marri penalised Al Ahli's skipper Abdullah for a handball inside his own box by pointing to the penalty spot. Al Rayyan captainTabata drove the ball into the right hand corner of the net whilegoalkeeper Al-Dosari chose to go left. It was Tabata's fourth goal of the season.

Buoyed by the late strike close to the end of the first half, Al Rayyan wasted little time in asserting itself in the second. Tabata doubled Al Rayyan's lead in the 53rd minute when he scored offa penalty kick for the second time in the game played under lights at Al Sadd stadium.

In the 65th minute, Al Ahli reduced the deficit after much drama. Mohammed Alaa brought down Al Ahli's Yessoh Nguessan inside the Al Rayyan's box resulting in a penalty.Al Ahli skipper Abdullah took aim for the right side of goalkeeper Omar Barry who stopped the ball but referee Al Khamis ordered thepenalty to be taken again. Abdullah scored easily off the second attempt in the 65th minute.The reigning QSL champions, held off the Ahli fightback to register an important 2-1 win.