Al Rayyan players celebrate a goal during their Qatar Stars League (QSL) match against Al Wakra yesterday. Al Rayyan won 3-1. Lekhwiya’s Mourad Meghni (left) tries to get the ball with Al Arabi’s Joji Boualem during their QSL match in Doha, Lekhwiya won 3-1.
DOHA: Al Rayyan yesterday closed the gap on Qatar Stars League (QSL) points leaders Al Sadd after the boys in white crushed Al Wakra 3-1 in their ninth-round clash.
Rodrigo Tabata opened the scoring in the 23rd minute at Soud bin Abdalrahman Stadium.
The Brazilian midfielder, who was the Player of the Year last season coverted Nilmar’s cross with his chest to give Al Rayyan a 1-0 lead.
Shortly before half-time, captain Fabio Cesar converted from close range in the 41st minute.
The third goal for Al Rayyan was scored by Nathan Ottavio in the 71st minute.
For hosts Al Wakra, the only goal was managed by Ali Rahma Al Marri (77).
It was Al Rayyan’s third successive win in QSL this season.
Coached by Diego Aguirre, Al Rayyan now have 19 points from 9 matches, whereas, Al Sadd are at the top with a tally of 27.
Also yesterday, Lekhwiya left struggling Al Arabi still searching for a win in the 2012-13 QSL season when the defending champions registered an impressive 3-1 result.
National team striker Sebastian Soria scored two goals (15, penalty, and 64) befor Ali Hassan (75) produced the third in the one-sided clash at Grand Hamad Stadium.
Soria was later declared the Man of the Match and won $2,000 for his efforts.
Al Arabi, who are without a win in the current season that is into its third month, had equalised through Ahmed Mohammed (23).
However, Lekhwiya defended stoutly and attack at will to score two more goals after the teams were tied at 1-1 at the end of the first half.
Lekhwiya have 19 points from 9 matches.
Al Arabi - coached by former Egypt national team manager Hassan Shehata - are at the bottom of the points table of the 12-team league.
It was Lekhwiya’s fifth consecutive win this season, after defeating Al Khor, Al Gharafa and Qatar SC, and Al Kharaitiyat.
The defending champions are being coached by Eric Gerets who took over from outgoing manager Djamel Belmadi in early October.
Al Sadd - who are unbeaten this season - are at the top of QSL standings with 27 points, following their 1-0 victory against former champions Al Gharafa on Friday.
Al Rayyan are in second spot (19) points, a notch above third-placed Lekhwiya.
The 10th round action of QSL commences on December 7.
In another match that took place yesterday, Qatar SC edged past Umm Salal 3-2. National team striker Mohammed Razzak scored two goals (6 and 49) while Magid Mussa found the net in the 61st minute.
Razzak picked up a yellow card in the 49th minute of the QSL match.
For Umm Salal, Cabore (16) and Saaid Boutahar (76) scored the two goals.
The match was played at Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium on a day when Doha residents welcomed winter rain.
Qatar SC who coached by Sebastiao Lazaroni - are in fourth spot on the QSL points table with a tally of 14.
Umm Salal who are coached by Bertrand Marchand - are a notch below Qatar SC with the same tally of 14 points.
THE PENINSULA
