DOHA: Lekhwiya registered their first win of the season by crushing Al Arabi 4-1 in the Qatar Stars League (QSL) yesterday.
A hat-trick by striker Adel Ahmed (18, 21 and 58) helped Lekhwiya lead 3-0 early in the second half.
Team-mate Youssef Msakni made it 4-0 (66) but two minutes later, the visitors pulled one back through Khuki Baulam (68).
In other results yesterday, Muaither were denied maximum points when a goal by Al Ahli’s Fred Danica (90+6) scored deep into extra time. Campos (31) scored for Muaither.
Former QSL champions Al Gharafa, coached by Brazilian legend Zico are still waiting for their first win of the season after being held 1-1 by Al Sailiyah.
Deepa Naga (41) opened proceeding for Al Sailiyah but former PSG striker Nene equalised in the 69th minute.
Two-time champions Lekhwiya got off to a perfect start when Ahmed, who was called into the starting line-up in place of star striker Sebastian Soria, gave his side a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute.
The striker coolly unleashed a left-footed shot high into the net that delighted coach Eric Gerets on the sidelines.
The Belgian, who took over as coach in October last year, soon saw his side take a 2-0 lead courtesy of another strike by Ahmed three minutes later.
In the second half, Ahmed scored his third goal of the match in the 58th minute.
Lekhwiya grew in dominance as the match went on and were 4-0 up thanks to midfielder Msakni in the 66th minute.
Al Arabi, coached by former Real Madrid and German great Uli Stielike, was given an opportunity to reduce the deficit when the referee pointed to the penalty kick two minutes later.
Al Arabi’s Boulam Khouki made no mistake from the spot smashing the ball into the middle of the goal.
Two minutes from the end of the match, the referee again awarded Al Arabi another penalty but Khouki blazed his shot high above the bar.
Lekhwiya’s next match is away against Al Khor next Saturday at Al Khor Stadium, kicking off at 6.15pm.
Al Arabi, still winless this season, play at home to Al Ahli on the same day at 8.30pm.
THE PENINSULA
