Al Kharaitiyat shock Gharafa

Al Kharaitiyat recorded their first victory of the QNB Stars League season as they ran out 4-1 winners against Al Gharafa at the Al Khor Stadium on Thursday night.
In a much more confident display from the home side, it was The Cheetahs who created better early chances. They were twice denied by finger-tip saves following powerful drives from Qatari midfielder Othman Al Yahri.
As the first half wore on, it was Al Kharaitiyat who started to create a bit of territorial dominance, leading to danger man Rachid Tiberkanine being upended by Al Gharafa goalkeeper Qasem Burhan in the 41st minute. Burhan saved Rachid’s penalty, but was adjudged to have encroached too early and the kick was retaken. The striker made no mistake this time.
Al Gharafa exerted pressure early in the second half and were rewarded through captain Vladimir Weiss. Having played a neat one-two on the edge of the box, he slalomed around a couple of defenders and finished with venom from 14 yards out.
Al Kharaitiyat quickly regained the lead in the 66th minute as Gounerou Mohy struck a fierce shot that ricocheted off an unfortunate Diego Amado. They made the game comfortable in the 78th minute as a patiently-crafted attack was finished off by Abdulhalim who side-footed home from close range. Deep into injury time, Rachid made the result certain with a long-range strike to get their season up and running.
Next up for Al Gharafa will be a tricky away tie at league leaders Al Duhail, while Al Kharaitiyat have the chance to build momentum away to bottom side Al Markhiya.