The third round of the 2016 Emir Cup was an action-packed affair with two matches being decided on penalties. The biggest result of the night was Al Kharaitiyat defeating Al Arabi 4-2 via the penalty shootout after the match ended 2-2 at the end of regulation time.

Kharaitiyat had barely managed to avoid relegation by finishing 12th in the Qatar Stars League. Arabi on the other hand had managed to finish a respectable 8th. Kharaitiyat got the early advantage with a goal in the very first minute of the game. Arabi scored within 8 minutes to bring back parity.
The stalemate continued till the 80th minute when Kharaitiyat went ahead. But then four minutes later, Arabi were able to draw level again. But this fightback from Arabi proved futile as Kharaitiyat went on to win 4-2 on penalties. Arabi coach Gianfranco Zola will be a disappointed man.


Gharafa keeper Yusuf Hassan being congratulated by teammates after he pulled off two saves during the penalty shootout to help his team beat Umm Salal.

In the high profile clash yesterday, Al Gharafa goalkeeper Yusuf Hassan produced two crucial saves in the penalty shootout to give his team a 4-2 win over Umm Salal. The first half ended goalless but early in the second half Salal took the lead. Gharafa were chasing the game and though they had a few chances at goal, none of the strikes were able to find the back of the net. And then just when it looked like Salal would walk away with the win Vladimir Weiss scored in the 93rd minute of the game to help Gharafa draw level. This last-gasp goal seemed to have taken the wind out of Salal’s sails and they faded away in the shootout.


Ahli striker Mohsine Yajour (L) celebrates after scoring against Khor yesterday. Ahli beat Khor 3-2.

Al Ahli produced a strong second half performance where they scored three goals to come from a goal down and defeat Al Khor 3-2. Khor went into the break with a one-goal lead. Ahli tried hard to break down the Khor resistance in the second half but were initially finding it tough. But then Mubele scored in the 59th minute to bring Ahli level. And it was Ahli who then went into the lead through Mohsine Yajour in the 77th minute. Ahli were looking comfortable in the lead but then Khor scored an equaliser in the 90th minute. Just when it looked like the match would go into penalties, Yajour scored in the 93rd minute to break the hearts of Khor fans.
In the earlier match of the day Sailiya scored on either side of the break to defeat Wakrah 2-1.
Results
Al Wakrah 1-2 Al Sailiya
Al Kharaitiyat 2-2 Al Arabi
Kharaitiyat won 4-2 on penalties
Al Khor 2-3 Al Ahli
Al Gharafa 1-1 Umm Salal
Gharafa won 4-2 on penalties