Al Gharafa thrash 10-man Al Khor

Doha: Al Gharafa thrashed 10-man Al Khor 6-0 to move up three places to fifth in the QNB Stars League on Saturday. Gharafa now have 14 points from 10 games and lead, Umm Salal, who have played a match less, on goal difference.

The Cheetahs led by Amro Seraj’s goal, which came from a fast counter-attack in the 16^th minute, at half-time.

Ahmed Alaaeldin tore up Khor’s high defensive line with through ball through the centre to Muaaz Al Salemi, who in turn found Seraj with an equally delightful pass. Seraj just needed to hit the target and he did it with aplomb to put Gharafa 1-0 up.

After Mehdi Taremi missed a glorious chance for Gharafa, heading straight at keeper, Al Khor suffered a big blow when Rebin Sulaka got a second yellow for a deliberate handball and was given the marching orders.

Though Mohammed Al Bakri dived to his right to save Wesley Sneijder’s resultant free-kick and keep Khor in the game, he was only denying the inevitable.

Gharafa, enjoying a goal and a man advantage, came all guns blazing after the half-time break and left Khor in their wake through two quick goals, from captain Wesley Sneijder and Vladimir Weiss.

Sneijder found the target with a beautiful first time shot that bend back just enough to elude the outstretched hands of Al Bakri in the 51^st minute. Two minutes later he turned the provider for Weiss who beat Khor’s suicidal high defensive line to slot the ball home.

Taremi then got himself on the scoresheet, blasting home from close range in the 64^th minute while Alaaeldin made it 5-0 in the 71^st.

Taremi then made it 6-0 in the 83^rd when he toyed with Khor defence before unleashing a powerful shot into the far bottom corner.

Earlier, Samuel Eto’o scored the winner as Qatar Sports Club defeated Al Arabi 1-0.