Umm Salal goalkeeper Mohammed Aneas holds onto the ball as his team-mates Medhat Mohilidin (2), Adan Ali Adan (18) look on during his side’s Qatar Stars League (QSL) match against Eljaish at Al Arabi Stadium, yesterday. Eljaish’s Wagner Ribeiro (20) and Anderson Martinez (4) are also seen. PICTURES BY: ABDUL BASIT/SALIM MATRAMKOT
DOHA: Al Rayyan came from behind to win 3-1 against Qatar SC in round 12 of Qatar Stars League (QSL) yesterday to remain third in the standings.
In other QSL action yesterday, Al Gharafa grabbed their third straight win after beating Al Wakra 3-1.
The result puts Al Gharafa in fifth position with 18 points, whereas, Al Wakra, who have lost their last four matches, are in eighth spot with 12 points.
Also in action yesterday, Eljaish edged Umm Salal, courtesy of a penalty by Adriano Martins in the 40th minute.
Eljaish, managed by Razvan Lucescu, now occupy fourth spot with 22 points.
Umm Salal are in sixth spot with 17 points.
After losing 1-0 against Eljaish last week, the defending Heir Apparent Cup champions found themselves down when Fadlh Omar gave the home side.
The Al Rayyan defenders could not clear a high ball, and Omar reacted the quickest to head the ball past Al Rayyan goalkeeper Omar Barry in the 37th minute.
It was a wake-up call that Al Rayyan needed and they raised their tempo.
The visitors were soon level when Rodrigo Tabata headed in Ismail Hamid’s cross shortly before half-time.
It was the fifth goal for the Brazilian midfielder, who was named Player of the Year last season.
In the second half, Jarrallah Al Marri gave Al Rayyan the lead.
Qatar SC tried to get back into the game but soon found themselves needing to score two goals to secure at least a point, after Al Marri scored his second of the match with a header.
Soon afterwards, Al Rayyan’s captain Fabio Cesar was substituted by coach Diego Aguirre.
There was more drama at the end of the match when Qatar SC were reduced to 10 men when Khalid Saleh received a red card.
Meanwhile, Brazilian Raphael Alex gave Al Gharafa an early lead in the 15th minute.
But the visitors levelled in the 45th minute through Ali Hussein.
Alex scored his second of the match in the 60th minute to give Al Gharafa, who appointed Alain Perrin as coach earlier this week, the lead.
The home side sealed the win when Diego Tardelli scored in the 84th minute.
The QSL players will now take a four-week rest, with action to resume on January 21 and 22, next year. THE PENINSULA
