Lekhwiya loose to a determined Al Arabi side 1-0.Current QSL Champions Lekhwiya dropped further points in their title defense on Friday evening losing 1-0 to Al Arabi in what was a disciplined defensive performance by Gianfranco Zola’s side.
A missed penalty from Nam Tae Hee compounded a miserable night for Lekhwiya, whose head coach Djamel Belmadi was forced to watch from the stands after being suspended for an incident in his sides round 17 match against Al Sailiya.
Lekhwiya enjoyed possession for large stretches of the first half, and had a number of key chances to open the scoring. The first of which fell on the 15th minute when new signing Alain Dioko failed to convert from close range after a guided header fell into his path from a corner.
Against the run of play, Al Arabi took the lead from a set piece on the 35th. New signing Javad Nekonam’s free kick found the head of defender Ahmed Al-Nahwi who was left unmarked, and was able to nod the ball past Lekhwiya stopper Claude Lecomte.
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Lekhwiya could have had an equalizer as early as the 38th minute, however a brave block from goal scorer Ahmed Al-Nahwi denied striker Alain Dioko at the very last. Lekhwiya had enjoyed 60% possession in the first half, however didn’t have many clear cut changes to their name.
Arabi looked composed at the back throughout the tie, and had one final chance from a corner at the end of the first half, however striker Ahmed Khalfan’s effort sailed over the bar when perhaps it should have been on target, the first half ended 1-0 to Arabi.
In the second half, Lekhiwya spurng into life, and began to create chances. A number of times the good work of midfielder Youseff Msakni were thwarted by a resilient Arabi back line.
Despite the onslaught, Arabi did create some chances on the break. On the 63rd minute Ahmed Khalfan missed a key one on one chance, whilst Captain Boualem Khoukhi’s long distance free kick brought out a good save from Claude Lecomte.
Lekhwiya pushed hard and finally got their chance to equalize when the referee pointed to the penalty spot on the 81st minute. Substitute Ahmed Al Saady was adjudged to have been bundled down in the area by Alain Souza. South Korean Midfielder Nam Tae Hee stepped up for Lekhwiya and blazed his effort over,much to the despair of the on watching Djamel Belmadi.
Despite the missed effort Lekhwiya pushed the home side all the way till the end, and could of scored had Luiz Martins whipped effort not flashed past the post. However it was the Arabi backline who remained resolute to see out a famous victory for Gianfranco Zola’s side.
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