Adnan Hamdan
Doha, Qatar- Al Rayyan rode on a 40th-minute goal by captain Rodrigo Tabata to beat Al Shahania 1-0 in Week 7 of the QNB Stars League at the Al Sadd Stadium, here on Saturday.
Al Shahania’s Argentinian striker Vazquez Luciano drilled a low ball from the edge of the Al Rayyan box as early as the fourth minute. But, his shot was quickly snapped up by keeper Omar Barry in what was the first serious attempt by the visitors.
By the 10th minute, Al Rayyan racked up three consecutive corners, but failed to produce a goal-threatening move as the Al Shahania backline remained firm. In the 13th minute of the fast-paced match, Mohammed Alaeddin found Tabata unmarked in the Al Shahania box, but latter didn’t get enough space to shoot by keeper Ahmad Al Amri, who quickly punched the loopy ball away for a corner.
In the 23rd minute, striker Daniel Goumou trapped a long loopy cross inside the Al Shahania box. Goumou aimed for the goal, but good defence from Reza Najafi saw the striker shoot just over the crossbar.
Tabata netted the only goal of the match after latching on to a loose ball following an indirect free-kick and slipped past an Al Shahania defender before unleashing a curling low shot from the edge of the box. The ball went through the legs of Younes Darwish and beat keeper Al Amri before crashing into the net with a late dip.
In the 76th minute, Luciano swivelled inside the Al Rayyan box, following a pass from teammate Mostafa Jafri, but his low shot from close range was well grabbed by Barry.