Alkass Digital
Al Wakrah yesterday defeated Umm Salal 2-1 to jump to fourth place on the Expo Stars League (ESL) standings, thanks to strikes from the spot by captain Mohamed Benyettou at Al Janoub Stadium.
Qatar SC also climbed in the standings with a 4-0 thumping over Al Markhiya while Al Ahli sealed three coveted points with a comeback 3-2 victory over last edition’s runners-up Al Arabi.
Benyettou scored off a penalty in sixth minute of stoppage time in the first half to level scores after Umm Salal took the lead from a goal by Meshaal Al Shammeri in the 22nd minute. The Algerian forward converted the spot kick again in 64th minute to secure fourth win of the season for Al Wakrah.
With 14 points, the Blue Waves are trailing third-placed Al Rayyan by a solitary point with Al Sadd and Al Gharafa occupying the first two positions with 16 points apiece.
At Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium, Qatar SC took the game beyond Al Markhiya’s reach after scoring three goals in the first half through Youssef Mohamed Ali (8th minute), Bruno Tabata (45+6) and Javi Martinez (45+10) with an own goal by Naby Sarr in fourth minute of stoppage time wrapping up their big win.
They moved to sixth with eight points edging Umm Salal on goal difference.
Meanwhile, an 88th minute goal by Yazan Al Naimat gave Al Ahli their second win from seven games at Al Thumama Stadium.
Yousef Msakni’s 17th minute penalty took Al Arabi ahead with Al Ahli fighting back through goals from Naim Sliti (53rd minute) and Omar Sekou (62nd minute). Ahmed Fathi struck leveler for Al Arabi in 73rd minute before Al Naimat scored the winning goal after sprinting past three defenders.