Champs Sadd rout Muaither to close the gap on El Jaish

By Sports Reporter/Doha

Al Sadd closed the gap on table-toppers El Jaish with a 5-1 demolition of Muaither in the Qatar Stars League yesterday.

The defending champions now have 21 points after 10 matches and trail El Jaish by three points, with Al Sailiya in third place on 16.

Al Sadd were expected to coast against the QSL newcomers and they didn’t disappoint, in the process boosting their goal tally to 20, the best in the tournament so far.

The fact that they are the leading goal-scorers despite three draws and one loss indicates a determination to make the most of the opportunities that come their way.

Last season, the QSL title race went down to the wire with Al Sadd clinching the issue with in the final week, a situation they would like to avoid this time round.

Yesterday, they struck twice in the first half and thrice in the second to show Muaither where they belong. Defender Mohamed Kasola helped himself to two goals, while Abdelkarim Hassan and Leandro Da Silva were also on the mark as Al Sadd completed the rout.

Meanwhile, Al Sailiya suffered a setback in their quest for supremacy in their first season in the top flight when they were beaten by Qatar Sports Club 2-1.

Al Sailiya went ahead through Fauzi Mubarak in the 10th minute, but two heartbreaking goals in second-half injury time by Marcinho Olivira and Abdulla Ali Aldayne ruined their party.

Al Sailiya were top of the standings a few weeks ago before a couple of draws and a loss to El Jaish last week saw them tumble down the table.

In another key match yesterday, Lekhwiya were held to a goalless draw by Al Rayyan, who seem to have fallen on bad days and are languishing in the 11th spot. Lekhwiya had suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Al Ahli last week.

Al Arabi, meanwhile, scored an unlikely win, beating Al Wakrah 2-0.