Doha: Al Khor survived a tense last 15 minutes to hand Al Arabi a 2-1 loss and consign the Dream Team to their third consecutive defeat while Lekhwiya started 2016 with a 2-1 victory over relegation threatened Qatar Sports Club in the Round 15 matches of the Qatar Stars League (QSL) here yesterday.
Al Khor’s Brazilian striker Madson scored on either side of the break to help his side claim a shock win over favourites Al Arabi.
The match started on an even note with both teams trying to find their footing. However it was Arabi who had their first attempt of the tie when Ahmed Fathi had a shot at goal in the 15th minute.
Khor registered their first effort on the 19th minute Hilal Mohamed had his shot deflected off the cross bar. Khor took control of the match when they scored in the 34th minute through Madson. This goal seemed to wake up Arabi, who went on the attack towards the end of the first half but couldn’t convert their chances. Khor went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
The start of the second half saw both teams exchange possession and create chances. However a moment of magic saw Khor double their advantage. The move started with Marcos Antonio lobbing the ball long for Madson.
The diminutive Brazilian ran ahead with the ball, wrong-footed Arabi captain Khoukhi Boualem, before scoring a well-placed goal in the 66th minute. Al Arabi reduced the deficit through captain Boualem in the 79th minute. This goal changed the tone of the match.
Arabi went on the attack with Khor reduced to defending resolutely and kicking the ball long. Arabi had chances to find the equalizer but both Mosaab Mahmoud (86’) and Rod Fanni (93’) wasting clear opportunities for Gianfranco Zola’s side.
Elsewhere, current QSL champions Lekhwiya struck a goal in either half to ensure Djamel Belmadi’s side now has seven straight wins in the QSL.
Lekhwiya dominated the early exchanges of the tie, and only took 10 minutes before registering their first effort of the game.
South Korean midfielder Nam Tae Hee’s well worked shot just hit wide. Moments later Qatar Sports Club had their only chance of the first half. Mouchine Iajour intercepted a misplaced Lewis Martin pass, however the final shot was somewhat lacking from the Moroccan international striker.
The Red Knights grabbed their first goal of the match on the 22nd minute courtesy of a free-kick from Slovakian international Vladimir Weiss.
King’s defender Shaheen Ali was to adjudged to have handled from Weiss’s cross, and the midfielder stepped up to hit the ball past a hapless QSC keeper Faisel Ghloom.
Lekhiwya continued to dominate In the second half, Lekhwiya continued to dominate possession and it only took seven minutes to double their advantage. Midfielder Luiz Martin scored from a well worked free-kick from 30 yards out.
The Peninsula
