Doha: Tunisian star Youssef Msakni scored with just two minutes remaining as Lekhwiya marched into the semi-finals of the Emir Cup with a hard fought 1-0 win against Al Sailiya in their quarter-final played at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium yesterday.
Lekhwiya’s South Korean midfielder Nam Tae-hee shot into the penalty box and the ball was directed by Ismail towards Msakni who was well placed inside the goal box.
Msakni made no mistake in kicking the ball past Al Sailiya’s goalkeeper Diranth, giving his team the much needed lead which they were in hunt for more than 87 minutes. The score was nil-all at half time.
Lekhwiya lost a golden opportunity to score in the 30th minute when Nam Tae-hee shot through a penalty, picked up by Spanish defender Chico Flores who headed the ball towards the net, but only to see Al Sailiya’s efficient goalkeeper Gomis Gregory Diranth successfully redirecting it over the bar.
Just four minutes later, Al Sailiya’s Carlos Alberto Preciado almost earned his team the much needed lead when he took a shot at the goal from 35 yards away.
Goalkeeper Amine Claude Lecomte almost missed it but the ball finally found the bar and bounced back, disappointing Al Sailiya fans. Djamel Belmadi’s Lekhwiya had more than 70 percent of the ball possession with Al Sailiya also trying to impress whenever they held onto the ball.
Al Sailiya’s goalkeeper Diranth was quite busy with gloves on, having spoiled several attempts made by Lekhwiya players.
With both teams still searching for an opening goal, in the 54th minute, Ismail Mohamad gave it one more try to net the ball when he shot inside the penalty box, but Diranth was quick enough to spoil his effort.
Alain Djoko shot one in the 71st minute, from about 16 yards away, but the ball flew over the bar once again. Lekhwiya had the ball in their possession for a long period and Nam Tae-hee once again tried to box it just three minutes later, but the ball did not get away from Diranth.
Lekhwiya coach Djamel Belmadi had said that their main focus now will be on the Emir Cup, ahead of thei all-Qatari clash against El Jaish in the AFC Champions League which will be played at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on May 17.
Qatar Stars League champions Al Rayyan and Al Sadd have already reached the Emir Cup semi-finals following their victories recorded on Saturday. The Peninsula
