Al Duhail SC edge past Al Gharafa to go top of QSL standings 

Doha, Qatar: Al Duhail SC was well below par but they did just enough to rally and beat Al Gharafa 2-1 in the Qatar Stars League on Saturday.

The win, their fifth in a row, took Duhail to the top of the standings with 20 points and would give them a psycological boost when they take on reigning champions Al Sadd next Saturday.

Sofiane Hanni had given Gharafa the lead in the 60th minute, only for Duhail to equalise through Mohammed Muntari six minutes later, before Paulo Edmilson scored the winner in the 87th.

The game started in a frantic fashion with clear chances at both end but after that opening period both teams failed to find their rhythm.

Edmilson, who had the last laugh could have drawn the first blood if not for a last gasp tackle right infront of the goalkeeper in the secind minute of the game.

Two minutes later, Gharafa forward Ahmed Alaaeldin showed his pace and strength as he made a surging run through the middle but having done the difficult part, he failed to hit the target.

After the flurry of chances for both teams in the first 10 minutes Gharafa had another big opportunity in the 19th minute when Alaaeldin's cross found an unmarked Hanni in front of the goal, but the Algerian striker could not direct his volley goalwards.

Surprisingly the chances dried up at both ends after that and were confined to long-range shots – from Duhail left back Ali Afif which had Qasem Burhan scrambling and Hanni which was also wide of the target.

Duhail brought in Youssef Msakni in the second half and the Tunisian captain immediately hit the framework with a left-footer, while Burhan needed a fingertip save to stop Afif's spectacular volley off the rebound from going in.

The introduction of Msakni definitely gave a sharp edge to Duhail's attack and a couple of minutes later Edmilson tested Burhan with another shot.

Msakni soon got another chance and Burhan had to produce a miracle save to deny the former Duhail captain.

Just as Duhail were looking to tighten the screw, with Msakni involved in most of their attacks, they suffered a shock as Hanni received a cut back from Moayad Hassan and beat Amin Lecomte with a powerful grounder in the 60th minute.

However, it took just six minutes for Rui Faria's team to draw level as Mohammed Muntari, who until then was having an ordinary game, brilliantly connected substitute Ismail Mohammed's cross from the right.

Another sweeping move, initiated by Msakni had Gharafa defence in all sorts of trouble and Edmilson was guilty of being too casual with his effort which was blocked by a defender.

Edmilson finally got the goal he was looking for in the 87th minute and it proved to be the winner.

The Belgian winger was composed with his first tough and clinical with his finishing but Ahmed Yasser, who provided the assist played an equal part in the goal.

Yasser, under pressure and running backwards to tackle a long ball hit over his shoulder, did well to stop the attack and change it into a counter with a superb long ball, with Edmilson doing the rest.

There was not much time left for Gharafa to come back and when Jacheol Koo hit his shot straight at Lecomte in added time, their last chance too was gone.

Gharafa are fourth on 14 points and next play Al Khor.