An Al Sadd player holds off his opposing player during his side’s Qatar Stars League (QSL) match against Al Kharaitiyat in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: An Al Kharaitiyat player takes a shot during the same match. The match finished 0-0.
DOHA: Qatar Stars League (QSL) leaders Al Sadd yesterday dropped points when they were held to a goalless draw against Al Kharaitiyat.
For Hussein Amute’a side, yesterday’s draw was the first time in 10 matches that Al Sadd did not pick up a win against a QSL rival.
Both teams had numerous chances to score by the goalkeepers stood firm and did not concede a goal at Al Khor Stadium.
Al Sadd’s biggest rivals, Al Rayyan also dropped points when they were held to a goalless draw by Al Arabi.
Hosts Al Rayyan played their first-choice squad including striker Rodrigo Tabata and Fabio Cesar but the home club could not break the visitor’s vigil on the pitch.
The referee even allowed seven minutes of injury time but still the two sides failed to break the deadlock. Al Rayyan enjoyed 59 percent of the possession.
In another clash yesterday, Al Khor stunned Al Wakra 1-0 after Julio Cesar’s strike in the second half.
Cesar scored the only goal of the match in the 75th minute at Al Wakra Stadium.
It was the second successive loss for Al Wakra now struggling for form. For Al Khor, it was a welcome result after going without a win in eight QSL matches.
Al Sadd still head the points table with a tally of 28 from 10 matches. Lekhwiya are in second place with 22 points while third-placed Al Rayyan have a tally of 20 from 10 matches.
Eljaish, who beat Qatar SC on Friday, are in fourth spot with 16 points.
The 11th round kicks off next week before the teams disperse for winter break.
Some of the QSL players will attend a Qatar national team training session in preparation for next month’s Gulf Cup in Bahrain. THE PENINSULA
