Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar SC notched a crucial win after they edged out Al Shamal 2-1 in the Expo Stars League at the Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday. Qatar SC’s goals were scored by Bruno Tabata (22nd minute) and Youssef Ali (28th minute), while Al Shamal’s goal came courtesy of an own goal by Khalid Ahmed Mahmoudi in the 41st minute.
The win took Qatar SC to 19 points as they stay clear of relegation zone in 10th place. Muaither with 14 points are 11th, while Al Markhiya occupy bottom spot with 11 points despite a gutsy 4-1 win over Al Ahli on Saturday.
Al Shamal, after yesterday’ loss, are seventh with 21 points, one ahead of Umm Salal and Al Ahli.
The match between Qatar SC and Al Shamal was evenly balanced until Tabata opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after finishing off an impressive overlapping run by Yohan Boli.
Six minutes later, an error in the midfield by Al Shamal resulted in the ball falling into the hands of Qatar SC’s Raoul Sanda, who made a dashing run before firing a right footed shot that was parried by goalkeeper Abdalla El Rady into the waiting legs of Ali, who only had to tap in to bag the second goal for Qatar SC.
With two goals down, Al Shamal started seeking a way back into the game with some brilliant attacking runs, and their effort eventually paid off in the 41st minute when Mahmoudi mistakenly headed the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear the ball away to pull Al Shamal back into the game.
In the other match, Markhiya rallied after being a goal down to beat Al Ahli 4-1 at the Al Thumama Stadium.
The win gave Markhiya an outside chance of staying in the league with three matches remaining. Bashar Rasan scored a brace in the 44th and 90th minute, while Mohamed Khalid Al Naimi and Naoufal Bannis added a goal each.
For Ahli, former PSG star Julian Draxler had given the lead in the 22nd minute.
