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<p>Leaders and hosts Al Duhail scraped past Al Markhiya 2-1 after a hard-fought battle in Week 10 of the QNB Stars League on Saturday. </p><p>Goals by Youssef Msakni (ninth minute) and Nam Tae-Hee (43rd) powered the reigning champions to their ninth victory and 28 points.</p><p>Midfielder Saleh Al Yazidi scored Al Markhiya’s only goal in the 15th.</p><p>Al Duhail opened the scoring when Msakni charged into the Al Markhiya box and slipped past three defenders before firing a low shot past goalkeeper Mohammed Khuroob. It was his ninth goal this season.</p><p>Six minutes later, feared striker Youssef El Arabi slipped in a neat cross from the flank, but Msakni’s snap-header did not have the pace to beat Khuroon. </p><p>Soon, Al Markhiya midfielder Al Yazidi equalised with a slick close-range flick that crashed into the Al Duhail net, much to the horror of Al Duhail coach Djamel Belmadi.</p><p>Close to the half-hour mark, Al Markhiya’s Talal Ali got booked with a yellow card for bringing down Lucas Mendes of Al Duhail. In the 34th minute, star striker Youssef El Arabi headed home from close, but the linesman ruled it off-side.</p><p>Two minutes from half-time, South Korean Nam easily slotted one home from inside the Al Markhiya box.</p><p>Both teams traded attacks in the second half, but neither could find the net and Al Duhail picked up three valuable points in their title chase.</p><p>Al Duhail face Al Sailiya and Al Markhiya play Umm Salal in Week 11.</p>