DOHA: Charismatic Moroccan forward Yousef El Arabi and Qatar international Karim Boudiaf were on target as Al Duhail extended their lead at the top of the points table with a comfortable 2-0 win against Al Arabi yesterday.
At the Al Duhail Stadium, second half goals from Boudiaf (55th minute) and El Arabi (63rd) helped them earn the full points. Al Duhail, who are unbeaten in the League so far, are now at the top of the QNB Stars League (QSL) standings with 28 points.
Al Duhail goalkeeper Khalifa Abubacker made multiple blocks yesterday as he thwarted Al Arabi attacks on several occasions.
The lack of end product was bad news for Al Arabi as it allowed the league leaders to grow into the game. The earliest warning came when El Arabi had a header disallowed for offside.
The relentless pressure increased from here on and the home side was desperately unlucky not to take the lead when Nam Tae-Hee struck a spectacular volley from wide on the left which looped over the keeper before striking the bar. The same player was again involved as his goalbound shot was superbly blocked on the line by Ali Bazmandegan.
The Red Knights came out for the second half with even greater endeavour and were able to get the breakthrough goal early on. Bringing possession down the left, Boudiaf received the ball on the edge of the area, looked up and then struck a shot from 20 yards that was deflected on its way into the corner of the net.
While Al Arabi were still reeling in shock, a wonderful passing move culminated in Edmilson finding El Arabi on the right of the box, who advanced inside before drilling a low, hard shot into the far corner.
The 0-2 loss was not what Al Arabi needed as they look to propel themselves up the table.
In the second match of the day, Al Sailiya beat Al Kharaitiyat 5-0 to bag full points and to also overtake Al Ahli in the points table to make it to the top four.
Rachid Tiberkanine scored a hat-trick, his goals coming in the 32nd, 45+1 and 56th minutes. Abdulqadir Ilyas added to his tally with goals in the 52nd and 88th minutes.
