Al Gharafa defeated Al Sailiya 3-1 in Round 4 (Group B) of the 2021-2022 season Ooredoo Cup at the Al Wakrah Stadium on Monday.

Cheick Diabate (42nd minute) and Sofiane Hanni (70th minute) scored for Al Gharafa, who were also helped by an own goal by Ghanem Al Qahtani in the 61st minute.

Mohammed Mudathir had put Al Sailiya ahead in the 27th minute, but they could not score a second time and remained on  points following their defeat.

Al Gharafa moved on to five points with their first victory, while Al Sailiya stood on two points.

Andrea Stramaccioni-coached Al Gharafa had drawn their other matches, against Qatar SC (1-1) and Al Arabi (3-3).

Reigning champions Al Sailiya, under Sami Trabelsi, had drawn their other games, both 2-2 against Al Arabi and Al Khor.

Qatar SC, Al Arabi and Al Khor are the other teams in Group B of the tournament.

Al Gharafa attacked from beginning and Diabate came close to scoring in the very second minute, but was thwarted by Al Sailiya goalkeeper Abdrahman Mahamat.

Al Sailiya shot ahead as an unmarked Mudathir shot into an almost open rival goal from close range past rival goalkeeper Ahmed Sofyan.

Tall striker Diabate led Al Gharafa’s charge, with Sofiane Hanni giving ample support from the middle, while Meshal Al Shammari and Mudathir were the frontmen of Al Sailiya.

Al Gharafa equalised through Diabate, who volleyed in a corner kick from close range.

In the second half, Al Gharafa were the better side and Hanni fumbled in front of the goal in the 51st minute.

Ten minutes later came the own goal by Al Qahtani.

Hanni was on target before long with a lob that landed in the Al Gharafa net over the head of the goalkeeper.

Making matters worse, Al Sailiya had a goal ruled out in the 72nd minute for foul play.