Sebastian Saez (second from right) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring for Al Wakrah yesterday.
By Sports Reporter/Doha
Sebastian Saez scored a superb hattrick as Al Wakrah powered to a 4-1 win over Mesaimeer in the Qatar Stars League at Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday.
Al Wakrah had come into the match on the back of two consecutive losses but those reverses came against tough opposition (Al Rayyan and El Jaish). They were just two places above the relegation zone and that made this match a must-win situation for the Waves.
It therefore must have come as a big relief for Waves fans when Argentine striker Saez opened the scoring early on in the seventh minute.
Mesaimeer who were also looking for a win chose to play open game instead of keeping things tight. This meant that both teams were able to create chances as the ball went from end to end with regular frequency.
In the second half, it was Saez again with an early goal, scoring within three minutes of the restart. Despite the two-goal advantage, Wakrah didn’t stop attacking.
Mesaimeer had a few chances to get back into the game; however they were punished for their profligacy in front of goal as Saez scored again in the 75th minute to complete his hat-trick.
Mesaimeer were then able to reduce the deficit two minutes later when Brazilian frontman Erivelto scored from the spot. But by then it was too late for the Torches as they entered the final 10 minutes of the match.
Wakrah were quick to respond and keep their three goal advantage when in the 81st minute playmaker Mouhssine Moutouali scored.
In another match, Umm Salal and Al Ahli played out a 1-1 draw.
Meshaal Abdulla put Al Ahli ahead in the 31st minute but Yannick Sagbo scored from the spot in the 88th minute to help Umm Salal pull level.
Umm Salal are now fourth in the standings with 16 points from nine matches, behind toppers Al Rayyan, El Jaish and Al Sadd.
Today, El Jaish play Al Arabi while Al Sailiya clash with Al Gharafa.