Lekhwiya’s El Arabi scores the equaliser after Tresor is sent off; Tabata, al-Harazi score for QSL champions

A 10-man Lekhwiya scored deep in second-half stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw against reigning QSL champions Al Rayyan in an exciting matchup at the Lekhwiya Stadium yesterday.
Rodrigo Tabata drew first blood for The Lions as he converted the spot kick before Luiz Martin equalised for the Cops towards the end of the first half. The second half saw an amazing solo goal from Al Rayyan’s Abdulrahman al-Harazi. Lekhwiya where down to ten men when defender Mohammed Tresor was given a second yellow, and Djamel Belmadi’s side showed plenty of spirit to find a last gasp equaliser though Moroccan attacker Yusef El Arabi.
Al Rayyan opened the scoring from a converted spot kick in the 32nd minute. Tresor brought down Sergio Garcia after Tabata sent a ball over to Garcia. Last season’s top scorer Rodrigo Tabata stepped up for the penalty and sent the ball into the bottom left corner.
Sergio Garcia had a chance to double al Rayyan’s lead in the 36th minute but his overhead kick was blocked by Chico Flores on the goal line.
Towards the end of the first half, El Arabi drove the ball inside the Al Rayyan Box and passed the ball to Ismail Mohamed who guided it into the path of Luiz Martin, who scored after hitting the ball first time. Martin hit the ball low and hard into the far corner to level the score at the stroke of half-time.
Lekhwiya had an advantage in terms of possession and shots on target in the first half but Al Rayyan was the more clinical side forcing mistakes from their opponents and making their chances count. The half ended with both sides level.
Al Rayyan regained their advantage in the 59th minute after a spectacular solo goal from al-Harazi. The young Qatari midfielder intercepted a cross on the half way line and then sprinted towards the goal evading two defenders before sending the ball into the goal past Lekhwiya keeper Amine Lecomte.
Tresor received a red card in the 69th minute after a second yellow, leaving his side playing with ten men against the champions.
Belmadi’s side showed their fighting spirit as they scored deep into the second half stoppage time. El Arabi got his name on the scoresheet for the eighth time this season as he was in the right place at the right time and ensured a point for his side. Nam Tae Hee sent a cross towards Ismaeel Mohamed, who’s header came off the post into the path of El Arabi, who tapped it home to end the game at 2-2.
The result meant that both the teams gained a point each and remain in the same positions in the table. Al Rayyan are fourth with thirteen points from seven games, while Lekhwiya are third with 15 points.