Al Arabi put their QNB Stars League campaign back on track with a routine 3-0 win over Al Shahania yesterday. It was a much-needed victory for Arabi, who had lost their previous match to Al Rayyan. They were also at the receiving end of 1-10 thrashing at the hands of Al Sadd in Week 2.
But since then Arabi have improved a lot and that showed in their display at their home ground yesterday. Against Shahania they controlled the game from the beginning. Mailson opened the scoring in the 22th minute, and Mohamed Salah el-Neel doubled the advantage in the 57th minute. Alvaro Mejia’s own goal in the 84th minute completed a forgettable outing for Shahania.
For Shahania it was a disappointing match, especially after their impressive win over Qatar SC in their previous match. Al Shahania, though, have made steady progress this season despite the absence of any big name in their ranks.
In an earlier match, Qatar SC and Al Khor played out a goalless draw. Qatar SC and Al Khor now have four and two points respectively. Both teams created chances even though Qatar SC dominated the ball. They had 60 per cent at half-time and which was reduced to 52 per cent at the end of the match.
And that showed Al Khor’s performance with renewed vigour in the second half even though chances created by either side were few and far between in the latter part. While most of the chances belonged to Qatar SC, Al Khor forced more corner kicks – nine as against the rivals’ five. Both teams were under new coaches, Yousef al-Noobi replacing Abdulla Mubarak at Qatar SC and Omar Najhi coming in place of Adel Sellimi.
Qatar SC produced a gritty performance after 68 minutes when Sandro Ferreira was red-carded by referee Abdulrahman al-Jassim for fouling Al Khor’s Salem Khalifa. Their new recruit Wagner Ferreira’s resultant free-kick went out off a deflection. Star Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o, who was substituted after 70 minutes, twice and Iraqi forward Hussein Ali once tested Al Khor goalkeeper Mohammed al-Bakri in the first half.
Qatar SC’s Syrian striker Osama Omari too had come close to scoring, but for the alertness of Qatar SC goalkeeper Jassim al-Hail. Al Khor’s best opportunity to score fell to Wagner whose header from close was parried by Al Hail. The Brazilian midfielder had another chance, but he hit the ball wide of the post after receiving a measured cross from Salem Khalifa.
In today’s matches, Al Sailiya will take on Al Ahli at Al Ahli Stadium, while Al Kharaitiyat lock horns with Umm Salal at Al Khor Stadium.
Al Arabi’s Mailson (left) celebrates after scoring against Al Shahania yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil
