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IKOLI VICTOR
Doha
Lekhwiya came from three goals down to draw Al Wakrah at Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Stadium on Sunday - the third time this season they have turned a losing position into points shared in the Qatar Stars League (QSL).
Prince Ibarra gave the bottom club the lead before Moshine Moutouali made it 2-0 from the penalty spot and Abdulrahman Mussed added the third.
Ali Afif scored a brace and Karim Bouduaf completed the turnaround to leave the Red Knights three points clear of their nearest rival and remain unbeaten.
Djamel Belmadi's side have now won three points after going behind in games this season.
They reversed scorelines against Al Sadd, Al Kharaitiyat and Al Rayyan earlier in the season.
The draw was their fourth of the season. They remain undefeated in 17 matches and lead the table with 42 points.
Congolese striker Ibara, a new recruit from Tunisian CA Bizertin, grabbed the opener with a one-time shot just four minutes into the game.
Lekhwiya trying to adjust their ranks after conceding the opener, suffered another setback as Khalid Muftah uncharacteristically surrendered the ball in his own half and in an attempt to make amends, fouled the rushing player inside the box for a penalty.
Moshine Moutouali made no mistake in converting the spot kick in the 16th minute.
Afif fired a low shot that was easily collected by goalkeeper Hassan Dicko. The winger had earlier seen his effort hit the woodwork.
Lekhwiya continued to pressure and create chances after chances that were foiled by the resolute Wakrah defence.
Boudiaf saw his goal-bound back heel blocked by a teammate inside the box to end the first half proceedings 2-0 in favour of the Waves.
Five minutes into the second half, Abdulrahman Mussed made it 3-0 for the Al Wakrah with a fine shot that beat goalkeeper Amine Lecomte in the 50th minute.
Some sloppy defending exposed the league leaders after Assim Madibo missed the ball from a Wakrah player to his teammate.
Abdulrahman collected it and drifted past Madibo to shoot the ball into the net. Lecomte had a good sight of it but still could do nothing to stop the strike.
Mohammed Musa saw his close range effort blocked by the Wakrah custodian in the 58th minute from a corner kick.
On the hour mark, Dicko excellently parried away the ball to the crossbar from Ismail Mohammed's pinpoint header. Minutes later, the striker missed a gilt-edged chance from a cross in the six-yard as he scuffled the ball wide.
Mououali came close to scoring his brace as he sniffed inside the Lekhwiya box to shoot inches wide from target in the 70th minute. Two minutes later, Ali Afif reduced the deficit with a cracking shot from inside the box after Al Moaaz Ali Abdullah set him up to shoot.
With seven minutes remaining in the game, Afif put Lekhwiya one foot closer to levelling the score with another fine goal. The enterprising and energetic winger Ismail did the hard work to set up Afif to shot from inside the box.
Whenever Karim Boudiaf hits the bull's eye for Lekhwiya, it is always decisive and this time a 28 metre strike beat Dicko to level the game.
The midfielder scored the winner for Lekhwiya in a 3-2 win over Umm Salal in November. There was still time for drama as Afif was red carded for a second yellow card.