Al Ahli held Al Rayyan to a 1-1 draw in Week 12 of the QNB Stars League at the Al Ahli Stadium on Thursday.
Lucca Borges scored for Al Rayyan in the fourth minute, an advantage that was nullified by Al Ahli’s Mouhcine Moutaouli in the 75th minute.
Al Rayyan now have 22 points and Al Ahli 19.
Al Rayyan were on the go from the beginning, with Brazilian striker Lucca spearheading their attacks and Rodrigo Tabata and Sebastian Soria playing the supporting roles.
Al Ahli started without regular striker Meshaal Abdulla and Ali Ferydoon. Instead, Mohammed Muntari led their charge, with Moutaouli advancing from the midfield.
The Lions made their intentions clear by surging ahead early in the game when Lucca rose high to head in a cross from the right by Mowafak Awad.
Al Rayyan kept attacking even though Al Ahli had slightly more possession and Lucca got a chance, but Al Ahli goalkeeper Ivanildo Rodriguez blocked his shot in a one-on-one situation in the 16th minute.
Tabata then sent his shot over the bar from the top of penalty box in the 37th.
Al Ahli did not create any real chance in the first half.
The second half witnessed more intense exchanges. It was Al Rayyan who were more in the thick of action again. Ivanildo thwarted Tabata after one hour and soon, Muntari came up with a feeble header off a Moutaouli cross. Al Rayyan goalkeeper Omar Barry easily collected it.
Al Ahli had their best chance to reduce deficit in the 74th minute, but Moutaouli sent his shot straight to the goalkeeper.
However, The Brigadiers were not to be denied for long. They drew parity in the next minute as Moutaouli slammed home the ball from close range after team-mate Mohammed Reza failed to connect the ball first.
Source: qsl.qa