QSL
Al Wakrah and Al Arabi were locked in an entertaining 2-2 draw in Week 5 of the 2020-21 season QNB Stars League at the Qatar SC Stadium on Saturday.
Al Wakrah were helped by an own goal by Al Arabi’s Khalaf Sadd in the 59th minute. Mohamed Benyettou scored their other goal in the 88th minute.
Mehrdad Mohammadi (73rd and 90+5 minute penalty) scored Al Arabi’s goals.
Al Wakrah and Al Arabi now have seven and five points respectively.
Just like they pulled off a 2-1 victory over Umm Salal right at the death last week, Al Arabi this time earned a well-fought draw with a stoppage-time goal that came in the form of a penalty.
Al Arabi were without their key players, such as Hamdi Harbaoui, Mohammed Salah El Neel, Sebastian Soria and Mahdi Torabi who all were nursing injuries.
In the first half, Benyettou had his header off Murad Naji cross hit the crossbar, while Al Arabi struggled to make inroads without their mainstays.
The match came to life in the second half.
Al Arabi went into deficit when Khalaf’s clearance of a Benyettou cross from the right landed in his own net.
The Dream Team drew parity when Al Wakrah goalkeeper Saoud Al Khater fumbled with collection of Mehrdad’s angular shot and the ball rolled into the goal.
Al Wakrah surged ahead for a second time when Benyettou placed home a rebound from the left post following Omar Ali’s shot.
When it looked like Al Wakrah were winning came Al Arabi’s second equaliser, with Mehrdad converting from the spot.