Mudhir Abdrabo’s goal earned Al Arabi a much-needed 1-0 win over on Al Kharaitiyat in the QNB Stars League match at Al Sadd stadium yesterday. Arabi were under pressure to deliver after they suffered a humiliating 1-10 thrashing from Al Sadd last week.
And Abdrabo’s strike in the 15th minute saved them from dropping points against strugglers Kharaitiyat as Al Arabi coach Luka Bonacic heaved a sigh of relief. It was Kharaitiyat third loss in succession as they sit bottom of the table.
In the first match of the day, Al Khor played out a 1-1 draw with Al Shahania. After Ahmed Yasin scored for Al Khor in the 10th minute, Al Shahania’s substitute player Sultan al-Kuwari equalised in the 67th.
Al Khor, badly in need of a victory after losing their first two matches, controlled the proceedings early on and duly went ahead through a brilliant effort by Yasin. The Iraqi professional, who joined Al Khor this season, took the ball from a distance after playing a one-two with striker Diogo Farias, then beat last defender Younes Yaghoob and the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Khalifa al-Dossari.
Al Shahania, who had scored their first three points last week against Al Kharaitiyat, had more possession in the first half and tried hard for an equaliser. They did come close to doing that only for Younes hitting his shot straight to goalkeeper Baba Djibril from very close.
Argentinian striker Luciano Vasquez then had his free-kick saved by Djibril. Al Shahania showed more alacrity in the second half and were rewarded through Sultan, who volleyed home a loose ball after being set up by Kesse Jean. Al Khor had a golden opportunity to go forward a second time, but an unmarked Farias cracked his shot against the horizontal in the 82nd minute. Al Shahania ended the match with 56 per cent possession and a well-earned point.