Sports Reporter/Doha
Lekhwiya almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory yesterday. But their goalkeeper Amine Claud saved the day for them, literally speaking, as they beat Al Sailiya 4-1 in a penalty shootout to make the final of the Qatar Cup against El Jaish. Claud’s two crucial saves in the tie-breaker put Lekhwiya in contention for their second trophy of the season.
Qatar stars League champions, who have had a bad run of form in their recent matches, stormed into the lead in the very first minute through Nam Tae-Hee . Youssef Msakni gave a great through pass to Ismail Mohamed who ran with the ball into the box, dribbled past one defender and then crossed the ball into the centre for Tae-Hee to fire in the first goal of the match.
Just two minutes later, Lekhwiya doubled their lead. Mohamed Moussa, running down the right flank, crossed to Ismail who produced another great cross and this time it was Msakni who came charging in and headed the ball past the Sailiya ‘keeper. Two goals up within three minutes and Lekhwiya looked completely in charge of the game.
Al Sailiya were constantly pushing forward and were rewarded with a couple of chances but their finishing wasn’t up to the mark. And then just when Lekhwiya looked to have ended the first half with a two-goal cushion, Sailiya reduced the deficit because of bad defending from the QSL champs. Sailiya got a corner in the 45th minute and the ball bounced kindly off a player to an unmarked Majdi Siddiq who rifled in the shot into the top right corner.
Sailiya started the second half with gusto but Lekhwiya soon upped their game and started to see more of the possession. Despite a couple of chances for both sides, Lekhwiya seemed to be heading for a win till a 90th minute goal through Mohamed Salah produced the equaliser. There were six minutes of injury time but neither team could take advantage of it.
The Qatar Cup format is such that there is no extra time and the match is straightaway decided on penalties. In the shootout, it was Sailiya who were carrying the momentum with that 90th minute equaliser. Tae-Hee gave Lekhwiya the lead with a calm finish. And then it was the turn of Lekhwiya keeper Claud to shine as he saved penalties from two Sailiya players – Beli Dagano the skipper and Marcelo Tavares. For Lekhwiya, Luiz Martin Jr. and skipper Madjid Bougherra converted their shots. And then Karim Boudiaf converted the fourth penalty to give Lekhwiya the win.
Lekhwiya players celebrate their victory over Al Sailiya yesterday.
Lekhwiya players celebrate their victory over Al Sailiya yesterday.
