Al Shahania bag full points as Al Wakrah and Al Sailiya share spoils in Qatar Stars League

Al Shahania collected full points in a comprehensive 3-1 win over Al Ahli while Al Wakrah and Al Sailiya played out a goalless draw in Week 18 matches of the 2019-20 QNB Stars League at the Al Sadd Stadium and Al Janoub Stadium on Sunday.

 Al Shahania rode on a brace by Iranian midfielder Ramin Rezaein as he scored in the 22nd and 29th (penalty) minutes. Kesse Amangoua (81st minute) was Al Shahania’s other scorer as they earned a lifeline in their attempt to stay in the First Division.

Al Shahania moved on to 13 points with only their second victory in this season’s league, while Al Ahli suffered their ninth loss and remained on 19 points.

 Interestingly, Tunisian striker Ahmed Akaichi, who recently moved from Al Shahania to Al Ahli, scored the latter’s goal in the 60th minute.

 Al Shahania could not have hoped for a better start as the league resumed after a long break. The three points will greatly boost the confidence of their players, coached by Nabil Anwar who recently replaced Spaniard Jose Murcia.

 The victory also enabled Al Shahania to breathe down the neck of nearest challengers Umm Salal (15 points) and Al Khor (14) in the relegation battle.Rezaein was the livewire in Al Shahania ranks. His first goal came off a diving header after Nigel de Jong sent in a free-kick from the right.

 The Iranian scored his second goal from the spot. The penalty was awarded by referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim when Al Ahli’s John Beitsoun tripped Amangoua.

 For Al Ahli, Shane Lowry fumbled with his header after Nabil El Zhar set him up with a free-kick.

 After Akaichi reduced the margin on the hour mark with his quick header off a corner kick from the right by Hernan, Al Ahli raised visions of drawing level when they looked like having earned a penalty in the 68th minute, but that was ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee. Al Shahania captain Alvaro Perez seemed to have fouled Hernan.

 Al Ahli also had the ignominy of Majed Mohammed’s goalbound free-kick being saved with difficulty by goalkeeper Ebrahim Daryoush.

 Amangoua rounded off the tally when he found the target with a grounder, beating off the challenge from three rival players, after receiving a long high ball from deep in the right.

 Al Ahli and Al Shahania had played out a 2-2 draw in the first leg of 2019-20 QNB Stars League.

At the Al Janoub Stadium on Sunday, Al Wakrah and Al Sailiya drew gaoless and now have 20 and 24 points respectively.

 It was Al Wakrah’s fifth draw and Al Sailiya’s third.

 Al Sailiya had beaten Al Wakrah 3-1 in the first leg of 2019-20 QNB Stars League.

 Al Wakrah had suffered three successive defeats before the tournament was stopped, so they succeeded in arresting their losing streak.

 Al Wakrah would have been more happy with the shared point as they look to improve their position in the top flight, where they are featuring after a gap of two seasons.

 However, Al Sailiya would rue the two dropped points as they are keen on finishing among the top four and thus playing in the Qatar Cup and AFC Champions League, just like they did last season when they secured a third-place finish, their best-ever performance in the league.

 Possession was almost equal throughout the game and both teams had their share of chances, but a goal did not happen.

 Al Wakrah clearly had more opportunities in the first half, with Cristian Ceballos, Mohamed Benyettou and Omar Ali attacking, keeping Al Sailiya goalkeeper Amine Lecomte, who recently switched side from Al Duhail, busy.

 Omar twice skied the ball, Benyettou once sent his shot straight to Lecomte and Ceballos narrowly shot wide of the target.

 At the other end, Al Sailiya’s Mohammed Faisal sent his long-range shot wide.

 Changing ends, Al Sailiya showed more alacrity. Hardly five minutes into the second half, Abdulqadir Ilyas had a narrow miss and he was at it again in the 64th minute, but this time, he could not control the ball. Karim Ansari too joined the brisk action.

 Lecomte had to bring out all his experience and expertise to parry a powerful long-ranger by Ceballos in the 75th minute and the scoreline remained the same.