Ten-man Al Sailiya held on for their first points of the season against QSL champions Al Rayyan, in what was the Lions’ first match under new coach Michael Laudrup. Al Sailiya opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a thunderous 30-yard volley from Romanian international Dragos Grigore, before the champions scored an equaliser through Koh Myong-jin early in the second half.
The tie stared at a frantic pace, with Al Sailiya taking the initiative in the early exchanges and took the lead early in stunning fashion.
Rayyan half cleared an early Sailiya corner, Dragos Grigore won the 50/50 ball and subsequently smashed the ball out from some distance. The ball flew past a flailing Saud Al Hajiri before crashing against the post and ending up in the back of the net, a moment of real quality from the Romanian international.
Al Rayyan looked shell shocked, and the home side continued to press their advantage. Bahrain international Faouzi Aaish exhibited plenty of confidence with a long distance strike from long range.
Laudrup’s side eventually found their feet and created three quick-fire chances. The pick of which was a Rodrigo Tabata on the 22nd minute, which sailed just wide of Gregory Gomis in the Sailiya goal.
Al Rayyan started to impose themselves in the tie, and could have grabbed an equaliser had Sebastian Soria’s towering header not gone inches wide. Al Sailiya where holding on towards the end of the first half, yet they should of gone into the first half leading by two goals. Midfielder Sayaf al-Korbi was put through by Faouzi Aaish but the youngster smashed the ball over the bar.
The second half saw the introduction of Abdurahman al-Harazi with the former Al Sailiya man making an early impact for his new side. Rayyan found their equaliser just three minutes after the restart, a Rodrigo Tabata corner fell to Koh Myong-jin who tapped in from close range.
Laudrup’s men pushed hard for a winner and the tie swung in the favour of the champions on the 78th minute when Al Sailiya where reduced to ten men.
Faouzi Aaish was shown a straight red card for a nasty clash with keeper Saud al-Hajiri. The QSL champions tried to push home their advantage but the Al Sailiya defence remained resolute. Al Rayan could have grabbed a last-gasp winner, however Koh Myong-jin’s effort flew just over the bar.
The result means that Al Sailiya have now grabbed their first point of the season, whilst for the QSL champions Al Rayyan they have fallen to their second consecutive league draw.
Al Gharafa edge past Muaither
Former Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Al Gharafa yesterday were tested by newcomers Muaither before the home side won 2-1 win in a round-three clash.
Hosts Al Gharafa were held to a goalless draw up until the 70th minute before Slovakian international Vlaidmir Weiss scored a penalty followed by a slick goal by Mohamed Razzaq in the 84th minute at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium. Mahmoud Zatara of Muaither reduced the deficit in injury time however it proved too late for the newly promoted side.
In the 68th minute, Al Gharafa ace Weiss was booked by the referee for a reckless tackled but two minutes later, the 26-year-old Slovakian winger converted a penalty in the 70th minute as the former QSL champions grabbed a 1-0 lead. Gharafa began to assert themselves and in the 80th minute, Weiss nearly scored again - this time with a curling free-kick that was saved by Muaither’s agile goalkeeper Zaidan.
Al Gharafa’s Mohamed Razzaq doubled the lead in the 84th minute but never-say-die Mauither pulled one back with Zatara’s late goal. The result gives Pedro Caixinas side their first win of the season, whilst Muaither fell to their third straight defeat in the league.

Arabi edge Kharaitiyat for key victory
Goals from Boualem Khoukhi and Ahmed Khalfan powered Al Arabi to a convincing 2-1 win against Al Kharaitiyat, for their second win of this QSL season.
Al Kharaitiyat’s Jaralla al-Marri reduced the deficit three minutes from time, but it proved too late for Amir Osim’s side who fell to their second defeat of the season.  
 Bristling with confidence, Al Arabi’s captain Khouki helped the Dream Team draw first blood with a well-taken header that sailed past Al Kharaitiyat goalkeeper Ahmed Soufiane on the 5th minute.
Attacker Ahmed Khalfan then doubled Arabi’s lead on the 31st minute.
Kharaitiyat found their way back into the tie in the second half and were constantly threatening the Arabi defence. Jaralla al-Marri poked it from close range towards the end of the match but Al Arabi held out for the final minutes to register a crucial win.

Ahli and Wakrah share the points
Al Ahli and Al Wakrah played out a 1-1 draw yesterday evening, a result which saw Al Wakrah pick up their first points of the season.
Al Wakrah took the lead through a Mouhcine Moutouali penalty in the 68th minute. Ahli found their way back into the tie just two minutes later though D.R Congo striker Firmin Mubele.
In the second half, Al Ahli began to dominate the ball but it was the visitors who took the lead against the run of play. Moutouali was bundled down in the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. The Morrocan midfielder confidently smashed the penalty to give the Blue Waves an unlikely lead.
However it didn’t last long, with the Brigadeers equalising in spectacular fashion just two minutes later through Mubele.