Leaders Al Rayyan adhered to coach Jorge Fossati’s plans of picking up three points by beating Al Kharaitiyat 2-1 in their clash against at Al Gharafa Stadium. Al Rayyan’s experienced pair of Sergio Garcia and Rodrigo Tabata came to the rescue for the Lions as Fossati’s men pushed their tally to 42 points after 15 games.
Sabri Lamouchi’s El Jaish also battled hard to pick up points against Al Sailiya at the double header at Al Gharafa Stadium. A late strike by Yasser Abu Baker in the 83rd minute lifted the gloom in El Jaish camp. El Jaish, one of the most consistent sides in Qatar in the last few years, are in second spot with 32 points from 15 matches.
Djamel Belmadi’s boys at Lekhwiya produced another resolute effort, beating a committed Qatar Sports Club 2-1 in their round of 15 clash. It was Lekhwiya’s seventh successive win this season, putting the defending champions in third place with a tally of 31 points.
Former champions Al Sadd, however, lost a bit of momentum with a 1-1 draw against Umm Salal on Sunday. Al Sadd, now coached by Jesualdo Ferreira, scored first through Khalfan Ibrahim but conceded a first-half equaliser to share points at Al Ahli Stadium. Al Sadd are currently sitting in fourth pace with a tally of 28 points from 15 rounds. By virtue of Sunday’s draw, Umm Salal has jumped ahead of Al Arabi in the points table to sit at fifth slot in the QSL title race.
Al Arabi, however, endured another round of pain when they went down to hosts Al Khor on Saturday. Al Khor won 2-1 to leave Al Arabi in sixth spot. It was third successive loss for Zola’s side. Losing nine points from three games could cost Al Arabi their dream of playing in the AFC Champions League this year.
There was some cheerful news in the Al Gharafa camp when they beat bottom-placed Mesaimeer 2-0 under new coach Pedro Caixinha. The new coach, who was managing his first game at Al Wakrah Stadium, said before the match that the Cheetahs would be making a fresh start.
“We are not worried about the past. We start a new cycle now. And the best possible way will be to start with getting three points,”Caixinha said at his maiden press conference on Thursday. Two days later striker Dioko fired a brace as the former champions picked up three points.
On Sunday, Al Ahli beat Al Wakrah 2-1 in a game in which the former were trailing at one point. The Brigadeers have summer signing Firmin Mubele to thank as he scored with ten minutes to go, to deny Wakrah a share of the spoils.
Round 16 kicks off on January 27th as the teams now enjoy a three week break during the AFC U23 Championships, which are being held in Doha, Qatar.
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