Doha: A last-minute penalty from Abderrazzaq Hamdallah proved to be a match-winner as El Jaish dethroned defending Qatar Cup champions Lekhwiya with a 2-1 victory in a thrilling finale at Al Sadd Stadium yesterday
The Moroccan forward calmly slotted the ball home after late drama to secure El Jaish their second Qatar Cup victory after Lekhwiya equalised with a penalty of their own just ten minutes earlier.
Jaish, who beat Al Sadd 3-2 in the semi-finals, started the game on the front foot and had the first attempt when Sardor Rashidov whipped a free-kick inches over the bar in the eighth minute. Lekhwiya’s first chance came in the 11th minute.
Striker Mohammed Muntari found space outside the box but could only hit a tame shot from 25 yards. Muntari appeared to have another opportunity a few minutes later. He muscled his way into the penalty area but had already been flagged offside when his shot rebounded off the post. It was to be the striker’s final contribution before sustaining an injury and being replaced by Alain Dioko.
Shortly after Dioko’s introduction, Jaish stamped their authority on proceedings. The ever-dangerous Rashidov showed superb pace before checking and hitting a left-footed shot from inside the area. Goalkeeper Ivanildo Rodrigues spilled the shot, but just as it looked as if Hamdallah would score, Mohammed Abdullah produced a smart piece of defending to turn the ball behind for a corner. In the 30th minute Jaish finally got the goal their dominance deserved.
Rashidov swung in a free-kick from the right and Tunisian midfielder Mohammed Methnani headed into the corner after getting in front of his marker.
Lekhwiya began the second half with more purpose but struggled to create clear-cut chances. Djamel Belmadi’s men did come close in the 62nd minute though when Karim Boudiaf dribbled along the byline and produced a smart cross. Unfortunately for Lekhwiya, Boudiaf’s delivery eluded a crowded penalty area.
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After Romarinho hit a free-kick wide for Jaish, Lekhwiya started pressing. And with 12 minutes to go they were finally presented with a golden opportunity to level. Murad Naji brought down Khalid Muftah and Dioko stepped up to hammer his penalty into the bottom corner.
Just seconds later Lekhwiya almost grabbed a second. Youssef Msakni latched on to a cross-field ball but his clever dink was brilliantly saved by Jaish goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar. Lekhwiya were looking likely to grab a winner but Jaish mustered a counter-attack which led to a penalty being awarded in the dying moments. Just minutes after being booked for a tussle with Hamdallah, Ahmad Sayyid brought down Majid Mohamed.
And with the clock ticking down, Hamdallah stepped up to score his 23rd goal of a memorable maiden season in the QSL and secure Qatar Cup glory for Jaish. The victory follows El Jaish’s maiden Qatar Cup title in 2013, when they also beat Lekhwiya.
The result, however proves that the disappointing run in the domestic arena continues for Lekhwiya.
The Peninsula
