Al Ahli pulled off a sensational last-gasp 2-1 win against bottom-side Al Kharaitiyat in the QNB Stars League at the Al Khor Stadium yesterday. Goals for Al Ahli came from Jhon Chancellor (29th minute) and Ahmed Suhail (90+2). Al Kharaitiyat’s goal was scored by Valentin Lazar in the the 68th minute.
With Kharaitiyat’s position in the league looking more precarious, it was down to Al Ahli to get the game up and running with a confident burst from the start. As early as the second minute, Mohsine Moutaouali could have secured them the lead, but he was unable to convert Ali al-Yazeedi’s cross.
Minutes later, it was Jonathan Porras was the guilty party as his header from close somehow missed the target. With the pressure mounting on the home side, Al Ahli took the lead when Chancellor rose highest to convert a header beyond the reach of the opposition goalkeeper.
Kharaitiyat grew into the game, but Mohamed Raza was unfortunate with two fantastic chances either side of the break before Al Ahli’s Jonathan mistimed his shot from close range.
Midway through the second half and Kharaitiyat got a much-deserved equaliser as they countered Al Ahli. Ahmad Khaleel had soldiered down the right flank before whipping in a beautiful cross for Lazar to steer home with his head. They then looked to have stolen the points when a firm header was kept out by Ivanildo Rodrigues in the 89th minute. This save was to be crucial as a stoppage-time corner was whipped in from the left and Suhail outjumped his marker to secure three vital points for his side.
Earlier, hosts Qatar SC were held to a goalless draw by Al Shahania. There were very few clear-cut chances throughout the match as both teams kept it tight without giving too much away. The best chances for either side both came in the first half, with Abdel Mitwali seeing his scorching free-kick being tipped over the bar by Amer al-Amri. Claudio Vazquez went agonisingly close for Al Shahania not long after when his back-post header from close-range came off the inside of the post and away for safety. All in all, it was a fair result between the two sides who are both looking to escape from the bottom of the table.
Qatar SC’s Ali Awad, Fadl Omar and Ibrahim Gamal wasted opportunities towards the end. Both teams tried hard to make a breakthrough as the match entered the final minutes, but a goal did not come. Al Shahania, under Spaniard Jose Murcia, moved to 17 points and Qatar SC, coached by Argentinian Sergio Batista, have 16 points.