A) An Al Ahli player dribbles the ball past his Al Gharafa opponent during his side’s QSL match in Doha yesterday. B) Zico of Brazil, Al Gharafa coach watches his team play. Zico was hired as coach of Al Gharafa in July.
DOHA: Zico’s reign as Al Gharafa coach began with a 1-1 draw against Al Ahli in the opening round of the Qatar Stars League (QSL) yesterday.
Saud Mohammed (15) gave the former champions the lead, but Muluta Kapango equalised in the 51st minute.
Elsewhere, in other results yesterday, former West Germany and Real Madrid great Uli Stielike saw his Al Arabi side draw 1-1 with Eljaish.
Mohammed Mntara (41) opened proceedings for Eljaish before Joss Meza (55) equalised.
Yahia Kebe (47) helped Al Kharaitiyat seal a point against Al Wakra in the 2-2 draw.
Michael Sousa (26) and Mohammed Wahid (44) scored for Al Wakra, after Al Kharaitiyat’s Jesse John (9) opened proceedings.
Meanwhile, Lekhwiya coach Eric Gerets expressed surprise after his side nearly lost to lowly Al Sailiyah in their opening game of the new QSL season.
Al Sailiyah conceded a late goal against former champions Lekhwiya to end their first match with a 3-3 card.
“We could have lost this match,” Gerets said after the game on Friday.
“We were brave enough to get the equaliser,” he added.
“It was a surprising to see them play so well. We have dropped points and now we have to correct our mistakes ahead of the next clash,” the Belgian said.
“We need at least two more matches to hit our straps. The more we play, the better we will get,” the coach explained.
“We scored three goals so that’s good,” the former PSV coach said after the match.
Lekhwiya bagged the QSL title for two successive years before they were dethroned by Al Sadd last season.
Al Sadd on Friday kicked off the season with a 1-0 over title rivals Al Rayyan.
AGENCIES/THE PENINSULA
