Al Rayyan scored a 2-1 victory against a resurgent Al Kharaitiyat in the QNB Stars League at the Al Sadd Stadium yesterday. Goals for Al Rayyan came through Gonzalo Viera in the 40th minute and Rodrigo Tabata in the 49th. Al Kharaitiyat pulled it back in the 54th through Abdulhadi al-Amin. The win helped Rayyan surge to second in the table with eight points from four games, although both Duhail and Al Sadd can overtake them today.
In another match, Al Arabi thrashed Umm Salal 5-1 at the Al Sadd stadium. Both the sides were coming off victories into yesterday’s match, and it was Arabi who kept their winning run going. Mohamed Salah (14th minute and 90th) scored a brace for Arabi, while Jasser Yehia Medany (20th) Franco Arizala (66th) and Mailson de Farias (90th) found the net once apiece. Yannick Sagbo scored a consolation goal for Umm Salal in the 58th minute.
Going by form and strength, Al Rayyan should have had it easy against Al Kharaitiyat. But instead they were made to work hard for victory. Despite a brave show, Al Kharaitiyat are the only team yet to open their account having lost all their matches. They are taking the field for the first time under new coach Aziz al-Amri who replaced Nassif al-Bayawi.
Former Al Sadd striker Jugurtha Hamroun made his debut for Al Kharaitiyat, while Argentinian striker Jonathan Menendez was left out by Rayyan even though as his paper works from old club Independiente have been completed.
Al Kharaitiyat started the match with the intention of upsetting the odds and were nearly rewarded for their early endeavour, but Al Rayyan goalkeeper Omar Barri pulled off a couple of fine saves from Valentin Lazar and debutant Jugurtha Hamroun. The Lions were not fearful of the early pressure and started to make headway into the game. Sebastian Soria saw his shot brilliantly saved by the opposition goalkeeper and the resulting corner saw Daniel Goumou miss a close-range header.
Al Rayyan were able to break the deadlock just before half-time as Tabata’s lofted free-kick from the left was found by Viera who evaded his marker and headed home. Minutes into the second half and Al Rayyan doubled their lead when Tabata struck an imperious free-kick from the left that dipped, swerved and curled its way into the far corner from 25 yards out.
Al Rayyan were expected to run out comfortable winners from here. However, Al Kharaitiyat got themselves back into the game pretty quickly. After winning back possession in midfield, they were able to attack on the counter, with Lazar running into the box on the left and pulling the ball back to Abdulhadi who calmly passed the ball into the net. Late in the match, they were nearly rewarded again for their positive approach when Abdulla al-Anzi ran in on goal, but he chipped his effort over the goalkeeper. They were unable to get back into the game, but will be buoyed by a very positive performance.
Al Rayyan players celebrate after Gonzalo Viera (second right) scored against Al Kharaitiyat in the QNB Stars League at the Al Sadd Stadium yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil
