Al Rayyan Achieves Five Goals in Qatar Stars League

Doha, March 11 (QNA) - Qatar Stars League (QSL) outfit Al Rayyan crushed today, former champions Al Gharafa 5-1 to gain momentum in their chase for the title to be decided in the next four rounds. Two goals each by strikers Rodrigo Tabata (4 and 47) and Leandaro Da Silva (43 and 74) supplemented the second-half goal by Nathan Otavio (72) to guide Al Rayyan to an impressive win at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium. For Al Gharafa, the only goal was scored by Yasser Mohammady (28). The match got off to a rousing start for the visitors who found the net through Brazilian striker Tabata. Brazilian Da Silva chipped in a pass for striker Jarralla Al Marri who deflected the ball for Tabata. The Brazilian wasted little time in slotting the ball past goalkeeper in just the 4th minute of the match as Al Gharafa coach Bruno Metsu presented a worried look. In the 28th minute, the gloom lifted for Metsu as Al Gharafa found the equaliser. Farhad Magidi slipped in a pass for Mohammady who deflected the ball from close range to score for Al Gharafa. With just a couple of minutes to go before the half-time whistle, referee Paulo Tagliavento was seen engaged in a battle of words with Metsu on the touchline. A minute later Al Gharafa's midfielder Sarhan Moussa tripped Da Silva inside the box from a shooting position. The referee point to the penalty spot and dished out a red card to Moussa. A calm Da Silva - who moved from Al Sadd in January - opted to go for the left of goalkeeper and captain Abdulaziz Ali who dived in the opposite direction. A minute later the referee slapped a yellow on Da Silva for a reckless tackle and one on Al Gharafa's Magidi for arguing seconds before half time. Two minutes after the resumption, Tabata fired one from the edge of the Al Gharafa box to give Al Rayyan a 3-1 cushion. After a stale period of 25 minutes, Al Rayyan went 4-1 up. Otavio grabbed a loose ball following a goal-line melee to score from close range. Two minutes later, Al Rayyan went 5-1 up as Da Silva headed home from a close range as Al Gharafa started showing signs of confusion at the back. (QNA)