Current QSL Champions Lekhwiya dropped further points in their title defence yesterday losing 1-0 to Al Arabi in what was a disciplined defensive performance by Gianfranco Zola’s side. A missed penalty from Nam Tae Hee compounded a miserable night for Lekhwiya, whose head coach Djamel Belmadi was forced to watch from the stands after being suspended for an incident in his sides round 17 match against Al Sailiya.
Lekhwiya enjoyed possession for large stretches of the first half, and had a number of key chances to open the scoring. The first of which fell on the 15th minute when new signing Alain Dioko failed to convert from close range after a guided header fell into his path from a corner. Against the run of play, Al Arabi took the lead from a set piece on the 35th when defender Ahmed al-Nahwi headed the ball ball past Lekhwiya stopper Claude Lecomte.
Lekhwiya could have had an equalizer as early as the 38th minute, however a brave block from goal scorer Ahmed al-Nahwi denied striker Alain Dioko. Lekhwiya had enjoyed 60% possession in the first half, however didn’t have many clear cut changes to their name. Arabi looked composed at the back throughout the tie.
In the second half, Lekhiwya sprung into life, and began to create chances. Despite the onslaught, Arabi did create some chances on the break. On the 63rd minute Ahmed Khalfan missed a key one on one chance, whilst Captain Boualem Khoukhi’s long distance free kick brought out a good save from Claude Lecomte.
Lekhwiya pushed hard and finally got their chance to equalize when the referee pointed to the penalty spot on the 81st minute. Substitute Ahmed al-Saady was adjudged to have been bundled down in the area by Alain Souza. South Korean Midfielder Nam Tae Hee stepped up for Lekhwiya and blazed his effort over.
Despite the missed effort Lekhwiya pushed the home side all the way till the end, and could have scored had Luiz Martins whipped effort not flashed past the post.
However it was the Arabi backline who remained resolute to see out a famous victory for Gianfranco Zola’s side.  
late goal gives Rayyan win
QSL leaders Al Rayyan left it late to beat Al Khor on a night when they lost captain Rodrigo Tabata to injury. Sebastian Soria was the Lions’ hero with a goal in the 78th minute at Al Sadd Stadium. It was reward for Rayyan’s persistence and means they now sit 16 points clear at the top with only eight games to go. It will take something extraordinary to deny Rayyan a first Falcon Shield since 1995. The most notable incident of the first half was Tabata’s injury. Rayyan’s top scorer was forced to leave the field with what looked a hamstring strain.
Khor’s best chance came in the first half fell to Reza Shanbah, whose shot from distance was saved by Omar Bari.   
Despite creating chances, Rayyan  were able to score quite late into the match. Jorge Fossati’s men finally scored with 12 minutes to go. Hamid Ismail’s shot was saved by Djibril but the rebound fell to Soria and the striker slotted it in. It was a deserved goal for the Lions and their passionate fans. The Al Rayyan juggernaut appears unstoppable.   

All square between Kharaitiyat and Ahli after two penalties   
A successful spot kick from each side ensured a share of the spoils between Al Kharaitiyat and Al Ahli. The Brigadeers created the more telling chances at Al Khor Stadium but it was Kharaitiyat who went in front after 30 minutes thanks to a penalty from Yahia Kebe. The Burkina Faso striker struck down the centre of the goal after Ahli stopper Yazan Naim Hussein dived to his left.   
In the second half, Ahli had the bulk of possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Ahli finally got on level terms in the 77th minute. The referee awarded a second penalty of the night, and Ahli skipper Meshal Abdullah stepped up to score a deserved equaliser.
The result means Ahli and Kharaitiyat remain 11th and 12th respectively. Both sides will be aiming to pick up points in the coming weeks as they look to avoid dropping into the bottom two.