Al Arabi 2-0 El Jaish

Al Arabi boosted their top four hopes with a deserved victory over out-of-sorts El Jaish.

Ashkan Dejagah, Paulinho and Alan Sousa all produced inspired performances for the Dream Team as Jaish were defeated for only the fifth time this season.

Gianfranco Zola’s men dominated the early stages at Lekhwiya Stadium and deservedly took a two-goal lead inside 18 minutes.

After Paulinho headed against the post and Javad Nekounam hit a free-kick narrowly wide, Arabi scored twice in a six-minute spell to capitalise on their early dominance.

Dejagah put Arabi in front in the 12th minute after a delightful assist from Alan Sousa. The Brazilian back-heeled the ball for Dejagah in the penalty area and the Iranian international muscled his way through the Jaish defence to prod home his third goal of the season.

Less than six minutes later and Paulinho doubled Arabi’s lead. Dejagah was the creator this time with a pinpoint cross that Paulinho calmly volleyed home. 

Jaish finally made some headway in the 24th minute when Wagner Ribeiro hit a stinging shot straight at Rajab Hamza. Soon after the dangerous Jassem Al Hashemi created a golden opportunity but hit his shot wide after creating space in the penalty area.

Arabi continued to press in the second half and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Paulinho was brought down by Yasser Abou Baker.

Sardor Rashidov’s introduction from the bench gave Jaish some impetus in attack but the Uzbekistan international failed to cause too many problems for Arabi’s defence. The closest he came to scoring was a tame free-kick from distance which Hamza easily collected.

Arabi almost increased their lead in the 76th minute. Dejagah’s cross-cum-shot found Sousa but his sliding effort rebounded off the post. Arabi had another opportunity to go 3-0 in the dying stages but Paulinho volleyed wide from just a few yards out.

Despite the defeat Jaish’s hopes of finishing in the top four remain high. Arabi, on the other hand, are now in fifth, ahead of Umm Salal and Al Sailiya’s matches on Saturday. Zola’s men need to find the winning formula in their final four games to have any chance of overhauling the likes of Al Sadd and Lekhwiya.

For Jaish, a highest ever QSL finish remains a realistic target. Sabri Lamouchi’s men have clearly been prioritising the AFC Champions League in recent weeks and will need to refocus in order to grab the runners-up place this season.