Jonathan Kodjia’s brace, including one in the 90th minute, helped Al Gharafa to a 2-2 draw against Al Khor in the QNB Stars League at the Al Janoub Stadium yesterday. The draw ensured Gharafa will finish in fourth position in the standings with 32 points, as closest challengers Al Arabi and Al Sailiya are on 25 points each after they both lost their games, against Al Wakrah (1-2) and Al Rayyan (0-1) respectively on Thursday.
Both Al Arabi and Al Sailiya are out of contention for a top-four finish with only two rounds of action remaining and six points points on offer.
The result, their second successive draw after holding Al Wakrah 1-1 in Week 19, benefited Al Khor too as they are battling for survival alongside Umm Salal and Al Shahania. The Knights now have 16 points and are in 10th place.
Kodjia had struck in the 36th minute to give Al Gharafa the lead before Ahmed Hammoudan equalised in the 48th minute. Al Khor went ahead when Lucca Borges converted a 52nd-minute penalty but could not hold on to a victory as Kodjia struck at the very end
Gharafa had beaten Al Khor 3-1 in the first leg but the latter produced a much-improved performance in the return leg. Kodjia’s brilliance though, with two opportunistic goals, made much of a difference for Gharafa.
Kodjia’s first goal came after he latched on to a pass by Muad Hassan. Gharafa’s Hector Moreno and Kodjia came close, while Al Khor’s Hammoudan and Tiago Bezerra made attempts at the rival goal in the first half.
Soon after restart, Hammoudan levelled the score after making the most of a through pass. Not long after that, Borges converted a penalty awarded for Al Gharafa’s Yousef Muftah’s foul on Tiago. Following efforts by Hammoudan and Muad, Kodjia was at it for a second time as he superbly volleyed in substitute Tamir Jamal’s cross from the left in the last minute. Kodjia soon sent a feeble shot wide of the target as the teams shared the spoils.
Shahania, Qatar SC played out a goalless draw
At the Al Sadd Stadium, Al Shahania and Qatar SC played out a goalless draw. Shahania thus extended their unbeaten run to three matches, having beaten Al Ahli and held Al Sailiya in their previous matches, after the resumption of matches following a long break.
Shahania are still the basement side with 14 points, while Qatar SC, who were locked in a 1-1 draw with Umm Salal last week, collected yet another crucial point. Qatar SC created more chances, but Al Shahania held fort. Sardor Rashidov led the charge for Qatar SC, whereas Kesse Amanguoa shone among the Al Shahania ranks.
Rashidov had a long-range shot blocked by goalkeeper Ebrahim Daryoush in the 21st minute and his team-mate Kayke Rodriguez had a goal ruled offside in the 36th minute. Al Shahania’s most serious attempt at the goal in the first half came in the form of a Ramin Rezaein shot, which was saved by goalkeeper Motasem Majed.
A series of attacks by Qatar SC past the hour mark saw Rashidov send his shot inches wide and Elmehdi Barrahma being thwarted by Daryoush. Rashidov continued to be unlucky as his rising shot in the penultimate minute landed on the roof of the net. That was after Amanguoa raided the rival citadel.
Al Gharafa’s Jonathan Kodjia celebrates after scoring against Al Khor in the QNB Stars League at the Al Janoub Stadium.
