DOHA: Leaders Al Sadd overcame a double deficit to edge out Al Gharafa 3-2 and retained their three-point lead at the Qatar Stars League (QSL) following a thrilling match at the Al Gharafa Stadium.
In what was a marathon day of the event that saw flurry of goals from the five matches yesterday, defending champions Lekhwiya registered the biggest win, thrashing Al Shahaniya 5-0 to continue Al Sadd’s close pursuit in the race to top QSL standings.
Al Ahli, El Jaish and Umm Salal also earned full points with victories over their respective counterparts.
Meanwhile, Al Sadd were stunned by Al Gharafa when they took a double lead, following a brace by Brazilian Anderson Luis Carvalho who scored in 23rd and 56th minute to take the title-favourites under pressure.
But the Hussain Amute’s side rejuvenated well and scored three consecutive goals within a span of 24 minutes to secure winning points and retain their top position on the table with 29 points, three points clear of second-placed Lekhwiya.
Abdelkerem Hassan led the fightback with a goal in 56th minute while Hasan Khalid Haydos netted the leveler in 78th minute.
Five minutes later, captain Talal Ali Albloushi scored the decisive goal in hard-fought win for his side.
Meanwhile, Michael Laudrup’s Lekhwiya ripped apart Al Shahaniya’s fences to register a big victory.
Khalid Mufta was the star or the side, scoring a goal each in both halves.
Al Shahaniya managed to hold back Lekhwiya’s strikers until their first in the 21st minute through, Youssef Msakani. The defending champions never looked back and score goal after goal to demolish the opposition.
Mufta (37) and Andres Sebastian Quintana (42) were the other scorers in the first half.
Vadimir Weis (49) scored the fourth of Lekhwiya’s goal with Muftah completing his brace in stoppage time and sealing a 5-0 rout. Meanwhile, Al Ahli showed no signs of rustiness after a long break, overcoming Al Arabi 4-2 at the Al Arabi Stadium. El Jaish defeated Al Shamal 2-1 in other match at the Al Shamal Stadium.
Mohammed Muntari (6) and Mohamed Abdulla (77) were scorers for the winning side while Said Boutahar scored the consolation goal in the 90th minute. Elsewhere, Umm Salal sailed past Al Sailiya 1-0, with Tamir Gamal the scorer. THE PENINSULA
