Rayyan survive late scare to down Wakrah in QSL Cup

Al Rayyan edged Al Wakrah 4-3 in a thrilling QSL Cup second-round at the Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium Tuesday.

This was Al Rayyan’s second successive win and took their points tally to six, while Al Wakrah are yet to open their account. Adel Bader (17th minute), Faisal Nouman (34th minute), Bahaa Ellethy (52nd minute) and Moustafa El Sayed (90th minute) scored for Al Rayyan.

For Al Wakrah, Abdulaziz Ibrahim (66th minute penalty), Ali Saleh (68th minute) and Abdelaziz Mohammed (90+6 minute) were on target. Al Rayyan’s Cas Campion Leadbetter was shown the red card in the 75th minute for a foul against Al Wakrah’s Abdulaziz Ibrahim.

Adel Bader began the scoring for The Lions slamming from centre in front of goal after being in the clear. Nouman doubled their lead with a fine strike off a diagonal cross from Bader. Post break, Bahaa Ellethy deflected in the third goal following a corner and a header.

Al Wakrah scored their first goal from the spot and soon made it 2-3, with Ali Saleh smartly lobbing it over the rival goalkeeper’s head. Al Rayyan hit back, with Moustafa El Sayed scoring with a fine strike (4-2). Al Wakrah’s Abdelaziz Mohammed reduced the margin beating a diving goalkeeper in dying moments of added time (4-3).

Shahania, Shamal draw

In the other match, Al Shahania and Al Shamal played out a goalless draw at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium at Al Duhail. Al Shahania had some of the best chances of the almost evenly-balanced match, but they somehow found the rock-solid defence of Al Shamal seemingly impenetrable.

Both sides are yet to record a win in the tournament, having both suffered a first-round loss, with Al Shahania losing 1-2 to Al Sailiya and Al Shamal being defeated 3-1 by Umm Salal. Both teams will definitely have to up their game in the next rounds for any chance of making it to the knockout stage.

In Monday's matches, Al Bidda stunned Al Sadd 3-1 thanks to Abdallah Nouri's hat-trick. Muaither drubbed Al Gharafa 5-2, while Al Duhail beat Mesaimeer 2-1 and Al Arabi drew with Al Waab.