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Ayeni Olusegun
Doha
Hassan al Haydos scored a brilliant hat-trick as Al Sadd strolled to a comfortable 5-1 'Qatar Derby' demolition of relegation-threatened Al Arabi in the QNB Stars League at Al Sadd Stadium on Saturday.
The Wolves with 42 points are now back to two points behind Al Duhail (45) who they meet on March 1, in what could be the league decider.
Haydos opened the flloodgates just seven minutes into the match from a set-piece. The Qatar national team captain, wrong-footed Muhannad Naim in goal with lovely strike which curved away from the goalkeeper.
Haydos soon grabbed his second two minutes later. Abdelkarim Hassan beat his marker down the left and sent in a cross across goal which Naim fumbled onto the path of Haydos who made no mistake from close range.
Al Arabi mounted a comeback in the 24th minutes as Diego Jardel's pile-driver from 30 metres out flew past the outstretched Saad al Dosari into the roof of the net.
Al Arabi should have equalised minutes later but Abdulrahman Mansour failed to connect with a perfect delivery into the box from Hamad Mohsin.
Al Sadd sealed victory 12 minutes into the second half when Abdelkarim Hassam rifled home from a quickly taken free kick. Abdelkarim received the ball from Yasser Abubaker and the former U23 captain found the roof of the net from over 30 metres out.
The Wolves continued their dominance and Baghdad Bounedjah continued his goalscoring run since returning from injury.
The Algerian striker made it four goals for Sadd as he headed home an assist from Ali Asaad right on the hour mark.
Haydos completed his hat-trick from the spot after Ivan Fustar tripped Asaad in the box. Haydos hardly broke a sweat from the spot, easily sending Naim the wrong way for his 11th goal of the season in the 79th minute.
Al Markhiya managed to hold on for a point against visiting Al Khor in the early kickoff on Saturday. Markhiya have not won a match since the start of the year and are rooted to bottom place on nine points after 17 matches in the league.
Mohammed Salah el Neel put Al Markhiya ahead in the sixth minute. Salem Hilal evened the tie in the 65th minute for Al Khor.
