Al Ahli dented Al Arabi’s top 4 ambitions with an impressive 3-1 win yesterday in the QSL match of the week. The game also saw Ahli with captain Meshal Abdulla scoring his 100th career goal in a tense clash at Al Ahli Stadium.
Abdulla opened the scoring as early as the 8th minute of the round 23 clash. The veteran Qatari attacker outran his marker and clipped the ball past Al Arabi goalkeeper Rajab Hamza for his side’s opening goal and his 100th strike in the QSL.
Ahli doubled their lead two minutes into the second half courtesy Mouchiane Iajour. A powerful run and shot inside the Arabi area rocketed past Rajab Hamza to leave the Al Ahli faithful in raptures. Arabi pushed hard to get back into the tie, but Yusef Adam’s side weathered the storm and effectively killed off the game in the 60th minute.
Summer signing Ndombe Mubele picked up a lose rebound and clip a low shot into Al Arabi net with goalkeeper Kassim woefully out of place.
Arabi did grab a late consolation goal from their captain Paulinho, but it proved to be too little too late for Gianfranco Zola’s team.
The result leaves Arabi in 6th place in the QSL standings, with their hopes of Qatar Cup qualification in the balance. Whilst for Al Ahli, this win has pushed them up to 9th further away from the QSL relegation zone.

Sailiya play out 1-1 draw vs QSC
Al Sailiya left it late to draw 1-1 with relegation threatened Qatar SC yesterday evening.
The Kings took the lead in the 18th minute after Emiliano Vecchio’s corner kick found an unmarked Fadhil Omer who headed the ball in to the goal. The young Qatari striker with only his second goal of the season put Sebastaio Lazaroni’s men in front.
QSC came close to a second goal in the thirty-ninth minute when Ali Awad’s thunderous shot from outside the box hit the crossbar. Despite enjoying much of the possession in the first half, Sailiya failed to convert their chances thanks to Qatar SC’s organized defense.
In the second half, Sailiya kept the pressure up and were rewarded for their effort in the 80th minute.
Dragos Grigore, Sailiya’s Romanian defender, chested the ball into the goal when Sultan al-Kuwari headed the ball towards him from a corner. The referee originally did not allow the goal because of suspicions of hand ball, but after deliberation with his assistant, awarded the goal to Al Sailiya.
The result means that the Kings remain in the relegation zone with twenty-two points while Al Sailiya’s position also remained unchanged at seventh with thirty-two points.

Umm Salal win at Wakrah
Yannick Sagbo’s late strike yesterday lifted Umm Salal as the visitors managed a 1-0 win over Al Wakrah.
Sagbo scored the only goal of the match in the 86th minute as hosts Al Wakrah failed to pick up points from the round 23 match in the QSL. It was fifth-placed Umm Salal’s first win after three matches.
Wakrah seemed to be the better side, particularly in the second half, and should have taken the lead. Substitute Waheed Tahiri had only the goalkeeper to beat but he failed to convert from close range.
Umm Salal made Wakrah rue those missed chances when Sagbo produced a close-range header to score his team’s winning goal four minutes from time.
Al Wakrah should have perhaps had an equalizer in stoppage time. Midfielder Mohsine Moutaouali’s free kick looked certain to be hitting the back of the net but Umm Salal’s experienced goalkeeper Baba Malik pulled of a fine diving save to deny the Moroccan international.
The result leaves Wakrah in ninth place, whilst Umm Salal are in 5th place.