Doha: El Jaish consolidated their second position at the Qatar Stars League (QSL) points table when they crushed Al Arabi 4-0 in their Round 9 match at Al Arabi Stadium yesterday.
The Armymen took their time to wake but once they did Al Arabi simply couldn’t keep up with them. Two goals scored on either side of the break by El Jaish was enough to destroy Arabi’s spirits as the soldiers took all three points and thereby kept the pressure on Al Rayyan.
Both sides came out of the traps playing an open and free flowing game, however, there was little to show for it after the first 25 minutes with neither side registering a chance of note.
But on the half hour mark El Jaish finally came alive, as Isa’s cross was cleared by Al Arabi defender Rod Fanni, the ball fell to El Jaish’s Abdelraouf who did well with a powerful low shot from 25 meters out which nestled in the bottom left corner (29’).
El Jaish now pressed home their advantage when a low cross found Wagner in the box, he had a crack at goal but his shot was deflected to his fellow countryman Romarinho who from close range made no mistake for the Soldier’s second of the night (33’).
Zola looked a worried man as Al Arabi went into the tunnel at half time two goals down and with no real chances to speak of.
After the restart, Al Arabi seemed to be handling El Jaish’s pressure and also mounting their own credible attack but with only one holding midfielder, the ‘dream team’ again came unstuck.
The Uzbek Rashidov found himself through on goal and with only the keeper to beat; he coolly sent his shot low and past the sprawling keeper (54’).
Al Arabi finally registered a good chance in the 72nd minute when Ashkan sent in a cross from the right and Al Emadi was at the far post with a lunging effort that went just over the bar.
In the 75th minute Mohammed Methnani got himself on the scoresheet when he sent in another long range effort from a central position on edge of the box.
Then on 79th minute Boualem Khoukhi hit a powerful freekick at goal and Jaish’s keeper -Khalifa had to use every inch of his rangy frame to push the ball onto the post. The final ten minutes ended as they began as both sides played an open game but Arabi simply couldn’t break through a resolute El Jaish defence.
The result saw Al Arabi move down to fifth in the QSL.
In other match yesterday at Al Wakrah Stadium, Al Gharafa ended their drought after defeating Al Sailiya 3-1.
Before this match Gharafa had endured five matches without a win, which included three losses. This slump of form also resulted in the club parting ways with their head coach Pericles Chamusca.
Al Gharafa were playing this match under the guidance of their reserve head coach Habib Sadeq.
The first half ended with Al Gharafa in a commanding 3-1 lead with no goals scored in the final session.
Masoud Mohammad Reza (25) Abdul Aziz Abdulla (38) and Alain Dioko were the scorers for the winning team.
THE PENINSULA
