Aron Gunnarsson strikes as Al Arabi hold Al Duhail SC
Doha, Qatar: Aron Gunnarsson scored a beautiful goal and played a typically solid game in midfield as Al Arabi held Al Duhail SC to a 1-1 draw in a pulsating Qatar Stars League match at Al Janoub Stadium on Thursday.
Youssef Msakni had given Duhail an early lead with a delightful goal after a flowing move but Arabi yet again showed their new-found resilience and equalised through the tough-looking midfielder who came from Cardiff City at the close season.
Arabi had a bright start to their campaign against Al Ahli last week and were looking alright in the initial exchanges when Duhail cut through their defence with ridiculous ease in the seventh minute.
The Amir Cup champions, who lost the title to Al Sadd last season, played the ball out of their backline with flair, through Ahmed Yasser and Ali Afif, before Msakni took over.
The supremely talented Tunisian, back with Duhail after a year-long hiatus forced mainly by a cruciate ligament injury, played a one-two with Almoez Ali that took Arabi defence out of the picture, paused for a moment which forced goalkeeper Gregory Gomis to commit, before effortlessly dinking the ball over the keeper.
After Pierre Michelle sent his shot wide for Arabi, Duhail had a chance to increase the lead. It was another quick move on the left and this time Afif’s attempted dink lacked power allowing Musab Keder to clear the danger.
Edmilson did manage to put the ball in Arabi net the very next minute but the goal was ruled out for offside.
In the 27th minute, a Luiz Martin shot was deflected onto the path of Almoez, but the goalkeeper did well to save it for a corner.
Gomis had to be alert again and just about managed to stop Edmilson’s cross, after a short corner, from reaching its intended target.
Duhail were threatening to run away with the game but Arabi managed to weather that storm.
They came close to equalising when Gunnarsson’s long throw eluded a crowded Duhail defence and Mohamed Salah met it with a rising shot which Amin Lecomte pushed over the bar for a corner.
Duhail failed to deal with the corner properly and Marc Martinez found Gunnarsson with a reverse ball from the right corner flag. The Iceland star was given too much of space and time and he punished Duhail with a low powerful shot that beat Lecomte hands down.
Msakni then wasted a glorious chance to regain the lead when Luiz Martin found him with a beautiful long pass.
Msakni’s first touch to control the ball was exquisite, but this time his finish was not up to the mark.
Pierre Michelle put the ball in Duhail net right at the start of the second half but it was ruled out for a foul as the Arabi forward had pushed Bassam Al Rawi before heading the ball home.
Duhail largely controlled the pace of the game in the second half, while Arabi were happy to defend in numbers and hit back on the break.
Rui Faria’s men were desperate to take the lead but their frontline, comprising Msakni, Almoez and Edmilson, failed to create any clear cut chances.
The best chance in the second half went to Mohamed Salah, who broke clear after a quick counter but his low shot was saved by Lecomte.
Karim Boudiaf, playing as a defender in the absence of injured Medhi Benatia, sent his shot wide after a low free-kick deflected into his path late in the game, while Gomis produced another save to deny Al Rawi.
The result was another proof of Al Arabi’s defensive solidity under coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, but for Duhail, it was a disappointing outcome and Sadd will already feel they have an early advantage in the title race.
Earlier, Al WAkrah defeated Qatar SC 2-0.
