Doha, February 04 (QNA) – Syrian striker Omar Al Somah led Al Arabi to an exciting 3-0 victory over Al Rayyan in Week 13 of the 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League at the Al Sadd Stadium on Saturday.
Al Somah scored in the 34th, 54th and 67th minutes of the match, which was exciting right throughout.
Al Arabi now have 25 points, while Al Rayyan remained on eight points.
The Dream Team thus got back to winning ways, having lost in the last two rounds, against reigning champions Al Sadd in the Qatar Derby and then to Qatar SC.
It was Al Arabi’s one of the best performances this season, especially in the second half. The victory margin would have swelled had it not been for their missed opportunities.
On the other hand, Al Rayyan could not match their rivals despite the fact that their ranks were complete with foreign professionals. The Lions also had the services of their new Moroccan professional Sofiane Boufal and Chilean Jason Vargas, who came on at the beginning of second half.
Al Arabi owe it mainly to good performances by Hamed Ismail, Brazilian Rafinha Alcantara, Al Somah and Tunisian forward Yousef Msakni in addition to the sharp tactical plan of coach Younes Ali.
Both teams exercised caution at the beginning of first half and play was mostly confined to the midfield. But as time passed by, Al Arabi began to impose themselves and that culminated in the first goal, with Al Somah finding the target off Rafinha’s cross.
Al Rayyan found it difficult to make a comeback and their attack lacked understanding. Despite that, they almost scored not long after the second half started, but Vargas’ shot hit the crossbar.
Al Arabi, meanwhile, doubled their lead, with Al Somah scoring a second time.
As Al Rayyan retreated, Al Arabi continued the pressure and Al Somah was at it again off a counter-attack led by Msakni.
Al Arabi almost added another goal in stoppage time, but Msakni’s shot hit the crossbar. (QNA)