Al Arabi boosted their top four hopes with a deserved 2-0 victory over out-of-sorts El Jaish in the Qatar Stars League yesterday.
Ashkan Dejagah, Paulinho and Alan Sousa all produced inspired performances for the Dream Team as Jaish were defeated for only the fifth time this season.
Gianfranco Zola’s men dominated the early stages at Lekhwiya Stadium and deservedly took a two-goal lead inside 18 minutes.
After Paulinho headed against the post and Javad Nekounam hit a free-kick narrowly wide, Arabi scored twice in a six-minute spell to capitalise on their early dominance.
Dejagah put Arabi in front in the 12th minute after a delightful assist from Alan Sousa. The Brazilian back-heeled the ball for Dejagah in the penalty area and the Iranian international muscled his way through the Jaish defence to prod home his third goal of the season.
Less than six minutes later and Paulinho doubled Arabi’s lead. Dejagah was the creator this time with a pinpoint cross that Paulinho calmly volleyed home.
Jaish finally made some headway in the 24th minute when Wagner Ribeiro hit a stinging shot straight at Rajab Hamza. Soon after the dangerous Jassem al-Hashemi created a golden opportunity but hit his shot wide after creating space in the penalty area.
Arabi continued to press in the second half and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Paulinho was brought down by Yasser Abou Baker.
Despite the defeat Jaish’s hopes of finishing in the top four remain high. Arabi, on the other hand, are now in fifth, ahead of Umm Salal and Al Sailiya’s matches today. Zola’s men need to find the winning formula in their final four games to have any chance of overhauling the likes of Al Sadd and Lekhwiya.
Meanwhile, Qatar Sports Club Qatar Sports Club picked up what could prove to be a vital point in their fight to stave off relegation after a 0-0 draw against champions Al Rayyan. The Kings are now just a single point from safety after becoming the first side to hold Rayyan to a draw this season. It’s also the first time that Rayyan have failed to score in a match this campaign. The result is a huge turnaround for Sebastiao Lazaroni’s men. In the reverse fixture in November, Rayyan hammered QSC 9-0 – a result which included a four-goal haul for Rodrigo Tabata. But it was a different story on Friday night as QSC continued their survival battle.
In another match, Baghdad Bounedjah scored his first goal of the season to secure Al Sadd a hard-fought 1-0 win against struggling Al Kharaitiyat. The Algerian striker, who has missed much of the campaign through injury, came off the bench to grab all three points against a spirited Thunders side.
Sadd captain Xavi Hernandez set up Bounedjah in the 80th minute with a super cross and the 24-year-old capitalised on slack defending to steer his header into the top corner. The Wolves are now unbeaten in four matches after struggling for consistency during much of the season. Kharaitiyat meanwhile remain in grave danger of slipping into the relegation zone – especially with improving Qatar Sports Club breathing down their necks after a 0-0 draw with Al Rayyan.
Lekhwiya, meanwhile, strengthened their place in the top four with 2-0 win over Al Khor. Youssef Msakni was the star for the Red Knights with a goal and assist at Al Khor Stadium.
Msakni set up on-loan striker Alain Dioko for the opener in the 56th minute. The Tunisian midfielder drove his way through the Khor defence, crossed for Dioko, and the Congolese striker bundled the ball in from a few yards out. Despite Djamel Belmadi’s men having the bulk of possession, Khor threatened a comeback midway through the second half. Julio Cesar smashed a left-footed effort against the post before Abdulla Mustafa shot wide from 25 yards.
Lassina Diaby also created a chance but his effort was well saved by Amine Lecomte-Addani. Msakni then made the game safe with his 14th goal of the season. Lekhwiya skipper Karim Boudiaf and Ismaeel Muhammed combined to set up Msakni, who side-footed the ball home from ten yards out. The result moves Lekhwiya on to 41 points and means they’re almost certain to qualify for the Qatar Cup.