Doha: Uzbek striker Sardor Rashidov and Brazilian striker Romario Ricardo Silva scored a brace each as El Jaish thrashed newcomers Mesaimeer 5-2 to clinch another victory at the Qatar Stars League (QSL) yesterday at Al Ahli Stadium.
Armymen led the contest right from the beginning and took an early lead to take their opponents under pressure.
Silva opened up the scoring by netting a goal in 10th minute while Rashidov doubled the lead four minutes later.
A 35th minute goal by Mesaimeer’s Abdulrhman Samir Said stunned the title-contenders but Rashidove regained the double lead in the very next minute to complete his brace.
Silva scored his second goal in the 44th minute as El Jaish walked into the breather with a 4-1 lead.
The second half saw both teams scoring a goal each as El Jaish celebrated a comfortable 5-2 victory.
The victory took back El Jaish to second in the points table led by football giants Al Rayyan.
Earlier at the same venue, in a topsy-turvy game, Al Sailiya salvaged a point in the 93rd minute with Fawzi Aaish penalty to deny Al Ahli the victory. Ahli came into this match on the back of two successive wins while Sailiya had the burden of two consecutive defeats.
Both teams exchanged possession at the start before Ahli started putting pressure on the Sailiya defence.
However against the run of play, it was Al Sailiya who took the surprise lead in the 34th minute. Omar Ibrahim delivered a curling cross into the box where an unmarked Sayyaf Al Karby was able to head it off the post and into the goal for the Peregrines first of the evening.
Just two minutes later, Faouzi Aaish had a chance to double their lead but his shot was saved by Ahli keeper Amer Dosari.
The first half ended with Al Ahli dominating possession but little in the way of chances.
In the second half Al Sailiya didn’t sit back and were looking to create chances rather than just protecting a slender the lead. Aaish had two more chances but Ahli keeper Dosari was quick to the danger and mopped up the shots.
Just when it looked like Al Sailiya were in the driving seat, Al Ahli finally woke up.
Ahli striker Ndombe Mubele scored two goals in a span of two minutes (78’and 79min) to completely turn the match around.
The first one came when Pedro sent a searching ball down the middle, and Mubele toe-poked the ball past the defender and the on rushing keeper.
His relief to finally get his second goal of the season was clear for all to see as he blasted the ball into an open net from close range.
Mubele’s second goal was similar to his first as again he utilised his pace to latch on to a through ball before bearing down on goal and smashing the ball through the keeper’s legs.
Al Sailiya who were on top till then suddenly found themselves chasing the game. But then there was a twist in the tale. Ahli conceded a penalty right at the death.
Fawzi Aaish stepped up and converted it to snatch a point for Al Sailiya. Both teams will feel equally aggrieved at having to share points.
THE PENINSULA
