By Sports Reporter/Doha

Defending champions Al Sadd suffered yet another setback in the Qatar Stars League when they were held 1-1 by Al Gharafa in a pulsating match yesterday.
In an encounter that bristled with energy, tempers flared at regular intervals as both teams matched each other move for move, shot for shot and even card for card.
However, it was Al Sadd who came worse off, having missed the chance to go second in the standings. They now have 12 points from seven matches and trail El Jaish by three. Al Sailiya and Al Wakrah have 13. It was Al Gharafa who hit the ground running early, testing the Al Sadd defence on several occasions. Miku had the open goal in front of him in the 14th minute but the Venezuelan striker failed to connect with his attempt to head the ball in.
Just three minutes later, Al Sadd skipper Raul could only watch in agony as his deft shot from close struck the post. Al Gharafa went ahead in the 28th through a brilliant shot by Anderson Luiz, who curled in a free-kick from outside the box, beating Al Sadd goalkeeper Naim Mohannad whose dive went in vain. Two minutes later, Al Gharafa goalkeeper Qassim Burhan displayed tremendous agility and presence of mind to prevent Al Sadd from scoring in a tense spell of action near the goal. After blocking two shots, Burhan leapt to pouch the ball, finally averting danger.
Al Sadd equalised in the 41st minute through Ali Asadalla, who lobbed the ball over an onrushing Burhan after receiving a pass from Almahdi Mukhtari. Al Sadd thereafter missed at least three clear chances to go ahead – Hassan al-Haydos going agonizingly close from inside the penalty area and Khalfan Ibrahim hitting the post a few seconds before the final whistle.
In other matches yesterday, Qatar Sports Club beat Al Ahli 2-0,  Al Rayyan edged Al Kharatiat 3-2 and Muaither recorded their second victory in seven matches, beating Al Arabi 1-0.