By Sports Reporter/Doha
Al Sailiya keeper Gregory Gomis was the star as Al Sadd slipped to their second defeat in as many games losing 2-1 to a resolute Al Sailiya side. This was new coach Jesualdo Ferreira’s first game for the Wolves.
Sailiya started the tie on the front foot and promptly took the lead courtesy of striker Abdulqadir llyas. The on-loan El Jaish player found plenty of time and space to calmly slot past Wolves stopper Sadd al-Dosari. Shocked into action, Sadd went about looking for an equaliser but were mainly restricted to shots from distance from the well-marshalled Sailiya backline.
However pressure eventually told on Sami Trabelsi’s side thanks to the fleet-footed Hassan al-Haydos. The Qatari international burst through the Sailiya defence on the left and scored with a dinked effort over the incoming Sailiya keeper Gregory Gomis.
Despite conceding, Sailiya kept on attacking and deservedly took the lead on the stroke of half-time. A well-delivered near-post corner was met by the head of Cameroonian Raoul Lowe which nestled into the top left corner of the goal. The former Osasuna man celebrated wildly and was mobbed by his teammates.
Sailiya could have gone into the second half with a two-goal cushion had Bahraini international Faouzi Aaish’s effort from distance not sailed over the crossbar.
In the second half Sadd ramped up the pressure in their search for an equaliser. In fact they did have the ball in the back of the net in the 61st minute, although Brazilian striker Muriqui was rightly judged offside. The Brazilian striker was central to Sadd’s good work in the second half and was bundled over in the 72nd minute and a penalty was given. The Brazilian promptly stepped up only for his shot to be saved by Gomis.
Sadd coach Ferreira cut a lonely figure in the second half as his side pinned Sailiya back for large periods of the second half. However Sadd where unable to break the Sailiya resistance, but came close in the six minutes of injury time at the end of the match. First, a Xavi free kick was palmed away by Gomis, along with a string of three fantastic saves denying Sadd an equaliser. At the final whistle Gomis ran away in delight, and was duly mobbed by his team-mates. His performance had secured Sailiya a vital three points against Sadd.
Salal, Arabi share a draw
Umm Salal and Al Arabi shared the points in an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Jassim Bin Hamad stadium yesterday evening. Both sides are sixth and fifth in the QSL league table, and were looking to strengthen their top four aspirations.
Al Arabi had the first chance of note on the 23rd minute when defender Ali Jasemi’s effort was easily saved by Umm Salal keeper Baba Malick. The match was a tight affair with both sides battling for position in the centre of the park. Salal eventually found their way back into the match and crafted their first effort on the 39th minute Fabio Cesar’s chipped effort was pushed onto the path of Yannick Sagbo, but Ivorian striker was unable to position himself to score the goal, the first half finished at 0-0.
Salal came into the second half with renewed vigour and in the 47th minute Sagbo spurned a golden opportunity from a few yards out. Arabi found their way back into the tie, with striker Paulinho drawing two good saves in quick succession from Salal stopper Baba Malick. The tie swung in favour of Gianfranco Zola’s side on the 62nd minute when Arabi midfielder Ahmed Fathi was bundled down in the area by Welington Silva the referee rightly pointed to the spot. Paulinho stepped up to calmly tuck the ball into the bottom left hand corner to score his 8th goal of the season.
Salal where thrown a lifeline in the 75th minute when Sagbo was pushed in the area, the referee pointed to the spot and Sagbo picked himself up to level the match.
That was the Ivorian striker’s ninth goal in eleven QSL games. After the goal the Orange Fortress grew in confidence, finding space in the final third.
Sagbo was again central to his sides attacking threat and on the 83rd minute his curling effort just went past the post of Arabi stopper Rajab Hamza.
Salal pushed hard for the winner, but their efforts where in vein with the match ending 1-1. Salal drop to sixth place in the league, whilst Al Arabi have moved back into the top 4 with the point.
Sailiya goalkeeper Gregory Gomis (right) celebrates with a member of the training staff yesterday. PICTURES: Anas Khalid
