DOHA: Al Shamal edged Al Arabi 2-1 at Al Thumama Stadium on Thursday to strengthen their hold on third place in the Doha Bank Stars League.
Iranian midfielder Omid Ebrahimi put Al Shamal ahead from the penalty spot in the 28th minute, before Algerian winger Adam Ounas struck a late winner in the 86th. Al Arabi had earlier drawn level through Karl Ekambi in the 66th minute.The win lifted Al Shamal to 28 points after 15 rounds, while Al Arabi remained on 23.
Al Shamal began brightly and went close early on, with Mohammed Manaei firing over the crossbar when well placed in the 15th minute. Their pressure paid off when Alex fouled Manaei in the area, allowing Ebrahimi to convert the resulting penalty.The hosts nearly doubled their lead before the break as Bao Prime headed over from a cross in the 39th minute.
Al Shamal missed another chance to extend their advantage early in the second half when Manaei struck the post from the penalty spot in the 56th minute.Al Arabi capitalised soon after, with Ekambi heading home a cross from Rodri to make it 1-1.
However, Al Shamal regained the lead four minutes from time when Alex Collado slipped a pass through to Ounas, who cut inside and finished into the far corner.Al Arabi ended the match with 10 men after defender Issa Laye was sent off in stoppage time for a foul on Baghdad Bounedjah.
