Doha: Qatar Stars League (QSL) leaders Lekhwiya edged ten-men Umm Salal 2-1 in a closely contested round 22 match to consolidate their position at the top while contenders Al Sadd did their title chances more harm after going down 2-1 to Qatar Sports Club.
Yesterday, playing at their home ground the Red Knights struck in the 13th minute through a counter attack.
Ismael Mohammed broke down the right and send a cross first time into the box where Sebastian Soria, laying in wait, made it look easy as he applied the faintest of touches to make it 1-0.
Umm Salal stepped up their game and began to dominate last season’s champions but then a major turning point in the match occurred when El Sayed was sent off for the second bookable offense of the match.
However, Umm Salal showed their quality as they continued to show signs of danger against Lekhwiya.
After the second half Umm Salal continued where they had left off and despite the one man disadvantage the boys in white equalised.
A hopeful ball from the back was sprayed out to the right wing, Qatari international Khaled Muftah didn’t know that Salal winger Jeddo was on his tracks and intercepted the ball beautifully; one on one with the keeper the winger coolly slotted home the equaliser in the 56 minute.
The game was hanging in the balance and the next goal would certainly seal the win for either side.
Slowly but surely Lekhwiya started to dominate and a throw in found Vladimir Weiss on the left wing, the Slovak turned and ran across the front of goal before letting rip with a dipping shot which bounced awkwardly past keeper Baba Malik.
Lekhwiya really didn’t seem impressive but once again did just enough to get all three points after a real scare from the visitors.
The win puts Lekhwiya at 52, seven points clear of Al Sadd with just five games to go.
At Al Sadd Stadium, a brace from Hamdi Harbaoui helped Qatar SC to register a 2-1 win over Al Sadd.
Harbaoui struck in the 26 and 29th minute to give coach Abdulla Alberik side full points.
Abdelkerem Hassan pulled one back for Al Sadd in the 47th minute. In another match, El Jaish trounced Al Gharafa 3-0.
Round 22 action continues today. The Peninsula
