IKOLI VICTOR
doha
Jugurtha Hamroun and Hassan Haydos scored a brace each as Al Sadd closed the gap at the top of the QNB Stars League table to 1 point following a 4-0 thrashing of Al Gharafa at the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium on Thursday.
The round 14 match had a touch of history as it was a midfield clash between Spanish legend Xavi Hernandez and Dutch legend Wesley Sneijder, who both played the 2014 World Cup final eight years ago. It was Xavi who dictated the game from his position as Sneijder had a below par game in only his third appearance for the Cheetahs.
Jesualdo Ferreira's men went into the game on the back of their 6-0 win over Al Sailiya with both the scorers hitting a brace in the game, while Bulent Uygun's winning momentum following two straight league victories suffered a setback.
The Wolves are unbeaten in their last five matches and have only suffered two defeats in 14 matches this season. For Gharafa, it was their sixth loss, worst of the season and the first for Turkish coach Bulent.
Gharafa's goalkeeper Qasem Burhan was the reason the scoreline was a little harsh considering the margin because he made numerous saves. His first save was world class, denying a well-worked ball for Haydos who unleashed a cracking shot but the 32-year-old dived at full stretch to parry the away. Few minutes later, the former Qatari international stopped Hamroun's chip from his near post. The Algerian striker was denied again in the 22nd minute, when Burhan thwarted his low shot.
Al Sadd made the breakthrough in the 33rd minute with Hamroun racing onto a through ball from Haydos and slotting it into the net.
Hamroun made it 2-0 on the stroke of halftime after the impressive Burhan spilled the ball from striker's first effort and the loose ball was slotted into the net.
Al Sadd's domination reflected in the chances created, from a eleven shots, nine were on target, while Gharafa had none. Hamroun should have had his hat-trick five minutes into the second half after finding himself in a one-on-one position with Burhan but he shot wide.
The enterprising and energetic Hamroun turned provider for Haydos to score the team's third goal in the 73rd minute. The Algerian beat his marker at the edge of the box and waited for the Qatari international to arrive before releasing the ball for him to smash into Burhan's net. The rout was completed three minutes from the end of the game when Haydos tucked the ball into the net after he was teed up by substitute Hassan Ahmad. It was Haydos eighth goal of the season.
Gharafa's only clear-cut chance of the game was in the dying minutes and Alaaeldin blazed it wide after he turning his marker inside out.
On Friday, fourth-placed Al Sailiya take on bottom club Markhiya at Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium. Relegation threatened sides Al Arabi and Qatar SC will battle it out.
Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi said last week's 6-0 humiliation is behind them ahead of the match:"We are trying hard to forget what happened last week and working hard to rectifying some mistakes. There are many areas for improvement. I know it is not going to be a smooth sailing against Al Markhiya. We will show our true form as we have made many positive changes to our game."
Al Markhiya coach Yousef AdaAl Markhiya coach Yousef Adam said a point against Sailiya is the minimum:"We are ready to take on Al Sailiya. Our players know our situation. They are showing responsibility and commitment, but I want more efficiency from them on the pitch."
"We need more positive results in order to move up from the bottom. In fact, we need a point from each game from now onwards, so we seek at least a point against Al Sailiya," he added.