Doha: Al Rayyan have all but confirmed their status as QSL champions for the 2015/2016 season with a 5-0 humbling of second placed Lekhwiya yesterday at Al Sadd Stadium.
Four goals in the second half for Al Rayyan, mean that the Lions can be crowned as champions as early as this evening, if third place El Jaish drop points against Al Wakrah.
Rayyan got off to the best possible start in the 13th minute opening the scoring through Qatari U-23 star Ahmed Ala.
The striker was on hand to knee the ball in from close range after a flick on from midfielder Víctor Cáceres.
The tie was a close knit contest; however Rayyan doubled their lead on the 40th minute. Paraguyan midfielder Víctor Cáceres latched on to a Sergio Garcia corner; his powerful downward header found the bottom left hand corner of the goal much to the delight of his team-mates, the first half ended 2-0 to Al Rayyan.
Al Rayyan came flying out of the gate in the second half, and it only took them one minute to register their third goal of the match.
Mohammed Jumma’s inch perfect cross fell to former Lekhwiya striker Sebastian Soria at the back post. The Qatari international wasted no time in smashing the ball into the net on the volley. With the tie effectively over, Lekhwiya continued to press to grab a goal in the tie. However, Al Rayyan remained resolute at the back, and scored two late goals in stoppage time to confirm their domince over the former champions. Ahmed Aladeen scored perhaps the goal of the tie when his chipped effort.
The striker’s cross-come-shot sailed over Ivanildo Rodrigues, and into the back of the net much to the joy of the Al Rayyan faithful.
Sergio Garcia confirmed the rout just a moment later, capitalizing on a Lekhhiwya defensive error smashing the ball past the hapless Rodrigues. Rayyan have a clear twenty point lead at the top of the QSL table, in what has been a memorable return to the Qatar Stars League for the Lions.
Earlier, two goals in ten minutes ensured that Al Sailiya registered a 2-1 victory over relegation threatened Al Kharitiyat at Al Ahli Stadium.
Goals from winter signing Carlos Preciado & Bahraini Fawzy Aiish gave Sailiya a deserved win, despite a late fightback from Al Kharitiyat.
In another match yesterday, Al Ahli registered their first win in four QSL matches defeating Al Khor 2-0 at Al Khor Stadium.
A brace from midfielder Meshal Abdullah secured Youseff Adams first win as head coach for the side.
Ahli looked the brightly in the opening exchanges and took the lead on the 25th minute.
Al Ahli capitalised on a Khor midfield error to release attacker Mouchine Iajour, his strong run and pass fell to an onrushing Abdulla who calmly stroke the ball past Khor keeper Baba Djibril. The Peninsula
