Al Gharafa hold off late Umm Salal rally to extend lead; Al Rayyan beat Al Sailiya

Doha, Qatar: Al Gharafa survived a late comeback from Umm Salal to secure a 3 2 victory at Al Khor Stadium yesterday, extending their lead in the Qata...

Doha, Qatar: Al Gharafa survived a late comeback from Umm Salal to secure a 3-2 victory at Al Khor Stadium yesterday, extending their lead in the Qatar Stars League (QSL).

Pedro Martins’ side looked in complete control after a first-half brace from Jamal Hamed and a second-half strike by Florinel Coman. However, Umm Salal mounted a late fightback, scoring twice within three minutes through Antonio Mance and Cristo Gonzalez deep into regulation time.

The closing stages were tense, but Al Gharafa held on to preserve their narrow lead against the Orange Fortress and move to 28 points, five clear of Al Rayyan. The Lions moved to second with a 3-1 victory over Al Sailiya in yesterday’s second match. Al Shamal, on 21 points, can reclaim second place when they face Al Ahli today.

Hamed opened the scoring in the fifth minute, capitalising on poor defending to fire a low shot from just outside the box. He then doubled the Cheetahs’ advantage in the fifth minute of first-half added time, heading home an Amro Surag cross that took a deflection off a defender.

Al Gharafa's Jamal Hamed celebrates after scoring a goal.