RED ALERT!

AL ARABI have made a whole lot of positive changes to their squad, but they need to improve their performance by a few notches to have any hope of challenging for the title. They played their part in a thriller against El Jaish last week, coming back from 0-2 down to lead 3-2, only to go down 3-4.

“We’ve one of the best teams. We’ve a balanced side, but we weren’t able to sustain our level towards the end (against Jaish). I thank the boys for playing such a wonderful match, but what really could’ve mattered was full points,” said Arabi coach Gerardo Pelusso.

Jaish suffered a big setback when captain Seidou Keita suffered a knock in the eighth minute and had to be substituted, but they shot into the lead when Majid Mohammed found the back of the net in the 21st. Former Al Sadd attacker Hamza Sanhaji added the second in the 40th as the Armymen continued to attack. 

Arabi, nicknamed the Reds, got a lifeline, courtesy of a penalty in first-half stoppage time after midfielder Omar Al Emadi was brought down inside the area by Murad Naji. Captain Boualem Khoukhi coolly converted it from the spot in the second attempt after referee asked him to retake the kick following an infringement during his first try which was successful. 

Ahmed Maksoud, who made his debut for Arabi, came at the start of second half. His introduction, along with that of Paulinho who also stepped in after the interval, revitalised the side. 

Paulinho left with a muscle cramp after just 10 minutes, but Arabi continued to have the better of exchanges and equalised through Mohammed Juma in the 60th. Pelusso’s side added the third in the 76th when Nigerian international Imoh Ezekiel provided the assist for substitute Yousef Ahmed to tap in.

Jaish’s Uzbek international Sardor Rashidov equalised in the 84th while Romarinho’s stoppage-time winner dealt a severe blow to Arabi, who were hoping for their second win. 

One wondered why Pelusso did not start Yousef, who was much more purposeful than Wagner Ribeiro. 

“Arabi are a star-studded team, but we also want to give Qatari players a chance. For a coach, all players are important,” he added. “I hope to deal with errors. We’ll come back stronger.”