Aaron Boupendza celebrates after scoring a goal against Al Shamal.
Doha: Gabonese international Aaron Boupendza scored a brace (45+5’, 61’) while Iceland star Aron Gunnarsson (25’) and Qatari defender Ahmed Suhail (51’) netted one each as Al Arabi clinched a 4-2 win over Al Shamal in their QNB Stars League (QSL) Round 17 match yesterday.
The win at Qatar SC Stadium, their eighth this season, raised Al Arabi’s points tally to 26 while Al Shamal stood on 13 points following their 10th defeat.
Jeison Escobar scored Al Shamal’s goals in the eighth and 36th minutes.
Both teams were coming off defeats, Al Arabi losing 2-4 to holders Al Sadd in the Qatar Derby and Al Shamal suffering a 0-6 defeat at the hands of Umm Salal in Week 16.
Striker Boupendza rejoined the Dream Team after his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon where Gabon exited the tournament after losing to eventual semi-finalists Burkina Faso in a thrilling shootout in Round of 16.
Boupendza, who had played in all four of their matches in Cameroon and scored their winning goal against Comoros in the Group Stage, yesterday proved that he is still in good form. The 25-year-old made a big impact on yesterday’s match despite an early attack from Al Shamal who got off to a brilliant start through Escobar.
Al Arabi gradually took control of the proceedings and the equalising goal by Gunnarsson was its reward.
Al Shamal went 2-1 up, with Escobar being on target again.
Al Arabi attacked relentlessly and Boupendza had a free-kick brilliantly parried by Al Shamal goalkeeper Marwan Sherif in the 39th minute.
However, Al Arabi succeeded in drawing parity in first-half injury time, as Boupendza netted his second goal and the half-time score read 2-2.
It was mostly Al Arabi in the second half and The Dream Team struck twice more, through Ahmed Suhail and Boupendza to make the final score 4-2.
Elsewhere, At Al Ahli Stadium, the hosts beat Al Khor 6-3 in a high-scoring Round 17 encounter.
Abdullah Al Sulaiti (13’), Jose Pozo (22’), Aldokali Sayed (45+2’, 60’), Abdulrahman Al Harazi (68’) and Hossein Kanaani (90+1 penalty) scored the goals for Al Ahli.
The Brigadiers’ fourth victory took them to 20 points, whereas Al Khor remained on 11 points following their eighth defeat.
Ahmed Al Mohannadi (7’), Pierre-Michel Lasogga (52’) and Juma Al Habsi (76’) were on target for Al Khor who are now struggling in the 11th spot in the QSL standings.
Also yesterday, former Qatar international Sebastian Soria struck a double (11’, 39’ penalty) as hosts Qatar SC defeated Umm Salal 2-1. The penalty was awarded when Umm Salal defender Ayman Abdennour fouled Bashar Resan.
Isael Barbosa pulled one back for Umm Salal in the 88th minute.
The Kings now have 19 points with a game in hand. Qatar SC’s Week 13 match against reigning champions Al Sadd was postponed and is due to be played on February 17. Umm Salal remained on 25 points after the loss which is their fourth this season.
Round 17 Fixtures
RESULTS
Al Ahli beat Al Khor 6-3
Al Arabi beat Al Shamal 4-2
Qatar SC beat Umm Salal 2-1
TODAY
4:35pm: Al Wakrah vs Al Sailiya at Al Ahli Stadium
4:35pm:Al Sadd vs Al Gharafa at Al Sadd Stadium
7:05pm: Al Rayyan vs Al Duhail at Al Sadd Stadium
