Al Ahli storm to third straight win; Al Gharafa down Al Arabi
Doha: Al Ahli beat Al Khor 1-0 in Week 3 to complete a hattrick of wins in the 2020-21 season QNB Stars League at the Al Khor Stadium yesterday. Also yesterday, Al Gharafa defeat Al Arabi 2-1 to claim their second win at Al Arabi Stadium.
At Al Khor Stadium, striker Hernan Perez scored the winning goal in the fourth minute as Al Ahli stormed into the top of the table with nine points, having beaten Al Wakrah 2-1 and Al Arabi 2-0 earlier. Al Khor remained on two points as they had held Al Arabi 2-2 and Umm Salal goalless.
The all-important goal resulted from a defensive mistake committed by Al Khor captain Naif Al Buraiki. Perez quickly intercepted and trapped the ball from Naif, who passed it to fellow defender Robert Melki to avert danger, and shot it home past goalkeeper Baba Djibril. Al Ahli almost doubled the lead the next minute, but Nabil El Zhar, after receiving a cross from Abdulrasheed Umaru, sent his shot against the right upright.
Al Khor made their first attempt in the 23rd minute when Mohammed Al Jabri’s powerful long-range shot was palmed away by Ivanildo Rodrigues. And Naif headed over the bar the resultant corner kick taken by Helal Mohammed.
There were chances for both sides before the first half ended.
Al Ahli’s Mohamed Diame’s bicycle kick from close was collected by Djibril, but he fumbled and Naif cleared the ball. At the other end, Lucca Borges could not guide a Helal pass into the goal.
Al Khor came on to the pitch on resumption with Abdulrahman Rajab and Abdulla Al Moraisi as substitutes. Lucca and Ibrahim Amada continued to lead Al Khor’s charge, even as Al Ahli attackers Perez and Umaru each wasted a chance. Al Ahli’s Mohammed Al Abbassi sent a shot skywards in the 80th minute. He hit his shot wide six minutes later. And the stalemate continued.
Meanwhile, Al Gharafa displayed a dominating show against Al Arabi with their star Jonathan Kodjia scoring the first goal in 21st minute off an assist from Ahmed Alaaeildin.
Sofiane Hanni scored their second goal in 72nd minute from a penalty kick. For Al Arabi, Hamdi Harbaoui scored the consolation goal in 87th minute.
The high-profile match between Al Sadd and reigning champions Al Duhail was postponed and will be played on October 21, owing to their commitments in the 2020 AFC Champions League, which will resume today with all West Zone matches being scheduled in Doha.
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