Umm Salal and Al Arabi shared the points in an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Jassim Bin Hamad stadium on Friday evening. Both sides are sixth and and fifth in the QSL league table, and where looking to strengthen their top four aspirations. Al Arabi had the first chance of note on the 23rd minute when defender Ali Jasemi’s effort was easily saved by Umm Salal keeper Baba Malick. The match was a tight affair with both sides battling for position in the center of the park, Umm Salal could of done with Andranik Teymourian who was serving a one match suspension.
Umm Salal eventually found their way back into the match and crafted their first effort on the 39th minute Fabio Cesar’s chipped effort was pushed onto the path of Yannick Sagbo, but Ivorian striker was unable to position himself to score the goal, the first half finished honors even at 0-0.
.JPG)
Umm Salal came into the second half with renewed vigor and on the 47th minute Sagbo spurned a golden opportunity from a few yards out, instead the Ivorian lifted his effort over the bar.
Al Arabi found their way back into the tie, with Al Arabi striker Paulinho drawing two good saves in quick succession from Umm Salal stopper Baba Malick.
The tie swung in favor of Gianfranco Zola’s side on the 62nd minute when Arabi midfielder Ahmed Fathi was bundled down in the area by Welington Silva the referee rightly pointed to the spot, Paulinho stepped up to calmly tuck the ball into the bottom left hand corner to score his 8th goal of the season.
Umm Salal where thrown a lifeline in the 75th minute when Yannick Sagbo was pushed in the area, the referee pointed to the spot and Sagbo picked himself up to level the match. That was the Ivorian striker’s ninth goal in eleven QSL games.
After the goal the Orange Fortress grew in confidence, finding space in the final third. Sagbo was again central to his sides attacking threat and on the 83rd minute his curling effort just went past the post of Al Arabi stopper Rajab Hamza.
Umm Salal pushed hard for the winner, but their efforts where in vein with the match ending 1-1. Umm Salal drop to sixth place in the league, whilst Al Arabi have moved back into the top 4 with the point.
Back To Home
