Muaither grabbed their third straight victory of the season on Friday evening with a narrow 1-0 win over Al Khor. Phillipe Birol’s side put in a composed performance in defence, reducing the visitors to half chances for most of the game. On the stroke of half time, Muaither took the lead though Jordanian striker Mahmoud Za’tara and his goal was enough to give his side all three points.
The opening exchanges lacked many clear chances with Muaither looking organised in defence restricting Al Khor to minimal chances, despite the visitors dominating possession. One source of concern for Phillipe Birrol was the departure of veteran midfielder Mohamed Yassr on the tenth minute, after a nasty clash of heads.
Jean Fernandez’s side began to pressurise the QSL new boys, and started to dominate possession and chances. With thirty one minutes on the clock, Madson knocked in a dangerous free kick into the Muaither penalty box. The ball was promptly punched away by Stallions keeper Basil Zidan, which fell to Khor defender Musaab Abdulmajeed unfortunately his quick swivel and shot just flashed wide.
Another mishap from Basil Zidan gifted Khor another golden opportunity on the forty first minute. Zedan was caught well off his line, and Madson produced a deft chipped shot which was cleared of the line by Muaither’s Brazilian defender Bruno Aguiar.
Then against the run of play Muaither took a shock lead with seconds left to play in the first half. Stallions Captain Alain Dioko took advantage of a headed back pass and rounded Khor keeper Papa Djibril, Dioko then passed to strike partner Mahmoud Za'tara who slid in to score his second goal of the season, giving Phillipe Birol’s men a vital lead going into the break.
Khor upped the ante in the second half in their search for an equaliser, however where reduced to half chances again by the home side. Khor’s diminutive midfielder Madson cut a frustrated figure in attack. However Muaither remained resolute through out the second half with Brazilian defender Bruno Aguiar looking impressive for the Stallions.
Khor’s first real chance of the second half came with seventy minutes on the clock. The ball was swept to Moroccan attacker Mouchine Iajour, who ran at the Muaither defence. His blasted shot however was gratefully picked up by Basel Zidan.
With Khor pushing for a equaliser Muaither had a fine chance to double their lead with ten minutes left to play. Alain Dioko found himself one on one with the keeper on the right wing, unfortunately his cross to Ayoub Ouadrassi was intercepted by Khor defender Musaab Abdulmajeed.
With just minutes left substitute Hamad Mansor put through Alain Dioko one on one with Khor keeper Papa Djibril. However the Stallions captain lacked the composure in front of goal, with his shot drawing a good save from Djibril. Despite the late Al Khor onslaught, Muaither held out for their third straight win of the QSL season and pushed themselves up out of the relegation zone.
Source: alkhor-club.com