The players of Al Rayyan and Al Wakrah locked in an aerial battle during their QNB Stars League match at the Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday.
Al Rayyan and Al Sailiya collected full points while Qatar SC and Al Arabi shared points in Week 11 matches of the QNB Stars League yesterday,
Al Sailiya defeated Umm Salal 2-0 yesterday.
Elsewhere, Al Rayyan defeated Al Wakrah 1-0 while Qatar SC and Al Arabi were locked in an one-all draw.
For Al Sailiya, Mostafa Mohammed (third minute) and Abdulqadir Ilyas (37th minute) scored the goals to move their team to 17 points with their fifth victory.
As the tournament completed the halfway stage, Umm Salal found themselves precariously placed with just five points from one victory and two draws to show for their efforts. The Orange Fortress have suffered eight defeats.
Al Sailiya, who finished a creditable third last season, have top-four finish as their target this season too. And that reflected on their performance.
Umm Salal will need to pull up their socks if they are to move away from the danger zone.
Even before Umm Salal settled down, Al Sailiya got down to business, with Mostafa finding the target from a goalmouth melee following a Majdi Siddiq free-kick from the right.
Midway through the half, Al Sailiya’s Karim Ansari hit a rising shot against the crossbar.
Umm Salal also had their chances, but it was Al Sailiya who were spot-on for a second time as Ilyas headed in a free-kick by captain Majdi Siddiq.
The scoreline did not change in the second half. Umm Salal captain Yannick Sagbo came up with a screaming kick in stoppage time, but goalkeeper Khalifa Aboobacker was on hand to parry it as Al Sailiya bagged three valuable points.
Meanwhile, leaders Al Duhail will be looking to retain their position at the top when they take on Al Ahli in Week 11 match today. Coach Rui Faria said his team will be eyeing full points against Al Ahli.
“The match against Al Ahli will be difficult, like all games that we played so far in the league. But I trust in our ability to get a positive result. Our goal is to beat Al Ahli,” Faria said.
“After the break, we hope to make a strong return to the competition. We know that the mission is difficult and there is no easy match in the league. I hope we will return to the same level that we were before the break,” he added. “Our target is to achieve full points and this is what we want in all our matches,” Faria said.
Meanwhile, Al Ahli coach Nebojsa Jovovic said the clash against Al Duhail will be a challenging one.
“There is no doubt that starting my stint with Al Ahli in the league against the table toppers is difficult. It will be a strong match. Big games bring out the best out of the players and I prefer such strong matches against big competitors,” Jovovic said on the eve of the match.
“My ambition is always to compete for the title. But the situation is difficult in Al Ahli and our goal is to build a strong team for the future. We have good players and we are working to bring out their best,” he added.
“In the first place, I express my happiness to work with the Al Ahli team. I have co-operation from all people. It is a good group and we will work to provide our best level against one of the best teams (Al Duhail) in the QNB Stars League.
“My ambition is always to compete for the title. But the situation is difficult in Al Ahli and our goal is to build a strong team for the future. We have good players and we are working to bring out their best,” said Jovovic.
