BACK TO THEIR BEST
AL RAYYAN’S performance against Al Ahli befitted their champion status. They played aggressively, showed quality in passing and created numerous chances. Coach Michael Laudrup rated it as the best performance since he took charge nearly a month ago even though he expressed dismay at not scoring more and settling for a narrow 2-1 scoreline, with all three goals coming from penalties.
Brazil-born Qatar international and captain Rodrigo Rabata netted a brace for Rayyan in the 45th and 52nd minute while Meshaal Abdullah pulled one back for the Brigadiers in the 65th.
Rayyan stayed fourth with 12 points, four points adrift of leaders El Jaish, who defeated Al Sailiya 6-4.
Al Sadd’s 4-0 victory over Al Shahaniya helped them replace Lekhwiya in second place on goal difference after both teams tied on 14 points following the Cops’ 2-2 draw with Al Khor.
Ahli, playing under new coach Yousef Adam, created the first real opportunity three minutes into the game when Ali Qadri floated a free-kick into the box. Omar Barry came up with a reflex save to block Meshaal Abdullah’s glancing header, but Firmin Mubele unleashed a shot only to see the ball bounce back off the left post.
Rayyan regrouped quickly to take control and maintained it until the hour mark. Uruguayan defender Gonzalo Viera saw his header narrowly miss the target while Tabata, with his back to the goal, tested goalkeeper Amer Al Dossari with a clever flick. Al Dossari was vigilant as he thwarted the attempts of Sebastian Soria and Sergio Garcia, who played arguably his best game so far.
With Mujtaba Jabbari injured and Kissito Yessoh still out of form, Ahli, who started only two foreign players — Mubele and defender Mohammed Adnan — reeled under the steady onslaught of Rayyan. And the Lions found the breakthrough just before half-time. Meshaal Mubarak conceded a penalty as he handled Abdulrahman Al Harazi’s cross from the right. Tabata converted it to make it 1-0.
And Meshaal conceded a second penalty in the 52nd when he brought down Tabata in the area, with the Rayyan No.10 converting again. What followed over the next 10 minutes was exhilarating, free-flowing football from Rayyan. This should send enough signals to their rivals that the Lions are back to the best and capable of retaining the title. The only sour note was their failure to capitalise on the chances they created.
Meshaal then pulled one back from the spot in the 65th after Alaa brought down Mubele in the box.
Laudrup should be eager to build on the performance before their next match against his former team Lekhwiya on November 20. He was without Paraguayan holding midfielder Victor Caceres who is out with a knee injury. Question marks remain about his date of return, with the club reportedly looking for a replacement in January.
“We want all players to be ready during the fortnight-long international break as we’ll have to play seven games in a month. It’s going to be really important,” said Laudrup.
Meanwhile, Al Arabi’s pathetic plight continued as promoted side Muaither shocked them 2-1. Al Gharafa blanked Al Wakrah 2-0 to pile more misery on the former champions.
Elsewhere, Umm Salal defeated Al Kharaitiyat 2-0, which saw coach Amar Osim lose his job.
