Al Arabi better Al Shahania 2-1

Qatar Stars League  outfit Al Arabi on Tuesday eased to a convincing 2-1 win over minnows Al Shahania as hosts delighted home fans at Grand Hamad Stadium. Luis Jimenez and Imoh Ezekiel scored the second half goals for Al Arabi who dominated the proceedings on home soil. Al Shahania reduced the deficit in stoppage time through  but it proved to be too little too late for the newly promoted team. 

 

In the first serious attempt at goal, national team player Boualem Khoukhi - skipper of Al Arabi - opted for a long-range shot that was punched by Al Shahania keeper Khalifa Al-Dosari. Three minutes later, referee Abdulla Ali Athba slapped Al Arabi's Rami Fayez with a yellow card infringement after the latter slammed his boot in the chest of Mesaad Ali Al-Hamad who went down instantly.

 

In the 22nd minute, Al Shahaniya midfielder Gourmi Kaled - who picked up a neat header from Mohamed Tiaiba - hoodwinked one defender before smashing the ball towards Al Arabi goalmouth. However Al Arabi goalkeeper Rajab Kassim stopped the low-range shot by thrusting his right leg to save the ball.

 

In injury time, Jimenez fired a bullet from the edge of the box but his shot sailed above the crossbar as both teams walked off the Grand Hamad Stadium pitch at 0-0.

 

Early in the second half, Al Arabi grabbed the lead off a corner kick. Jimenez jumped over Abdulla Khalid and produced a snap-header to deflect the ball past goalkeeper Al-Dosari for his side's first goal in the 48th minute.

 

Al Arabi confirmed all three points on the 72nd minute, Al Arabi doubled their lead through Ezekiel who easily beat 'keeper Al-Dosari following a goal-line melee. Shahania grabbed a lifeline with a smartly taken goal by Fahad Khalfan but it was just too late for Jose Fernando’s side. The win was Al Arabi’s first win in six QSL games.