Tabata shines as Rayyan survive Kharaitiyat scare

Talismanic captain Rodrigo Tabata provided an assist and also struck from the penalty spot to give Al Rayyan a 2-1 comeback win over Al Kharaitiyat at Al Gharafa stadium yesterday.
Al Rayyan had the upper hand in the early exchanges, having three early chances to open the scoring. All three efforts from Koh Myong-jin, Fahad Khalfan and Sergio Garcia all flew way off the target.
However, it was Al Kharaitiyat who opened up the scoring against the run of play.  On the 35th minute Yahia Kebe was bundled down in the final third, and the Bukina Fasio international dusted himself of to dispatch the free kick via a generous Al Rayyan deflection.
After the goal, Al Rayyan sprung into life and found an equalizer just seven minutes later in emphatic fashion. Tabata delivered a pinpoint freekick to Rayyan striker Sergio Garcia. The former Espanyol striker volleyed the ball in from close range, much to the delight of the Rayyan fans.
The Lions could of gone into the break in the lead, if Garcia’s flicked effort could of crept into the far post. Luckly Al Kharaitiyat keeper Ahmed Soufiane was on hand to make the save, the first half finished 1-1. In the second half Al Rayyan continued to look for the lead. Qatari international Hamid Ismail had two gilt-edged efforts, which failed to find the back of the net. Al Kharaitiyat had the first major chance of the second half as Jordanian international striker Hassan Abdel-Fattah had his looping effort tipped onto the post from Rayyan keeper Omar Bari.  
Al Rayyan where given a penalty in the 63rd minute when Kharaitiyat defender Domingos handled the ball in the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot, and Tabata stepped up to thump in his 15th goal of the QSL season.
Al Kharaitiyat did push for an equalizer, but where shut out time and time again by an impressive Al Rayyan backline. Amir Osim’s side did have one final chance to grab a crucial point, but former Al Rayyan striker Jaralla Al-Marri’s 86th minute effort flew over Omar Bari’s goal.
The victory leaves Al Rayyan as comfortable point’s leaders at the top of the QSL table going into the three week break for the AFC U23 tournament.