(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Jorge Fossati made the sign of the cross as he alighted from the bus that brought the Al Rayyan team to the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium where they were scheduled to take on El Jaish in the Qatar Stars League. He wore a serious expression, fully aware that this was going to be a key clash in their quest for the title in April.
Two hours later, the Uruguayan was pumping his fists in jubilation surrounded by his players. His prayers were answered. Al Rayyan had nailed the match, winning 2-1 and opening up a whopping seven-point lead over El Jaish after becoming the first team in QSL history to win 10 consecutive games from the start of the season. Rodrigo Tabata again proved the key, the Brazilian netting the winner in the 87th minute to take his personally tally to 10, the highest so far this season.
Al Rayyan started the match at a high tempo, pinning back El Jaish who could hardly cope with the early pressure. Sergio Garcia found himself in front of the open goal early, but his volley off a Sebastian Soria chip from the right sailed over the post.
El Jaish survived several close shaves in the first half, but Soria finally got his team's opening goal with a powerful shot in first half added time after Paraguayan midfielder Victor Caceres had done most of the spadework down the right flank and released the ball for the Uruguayan-born Qatar international.
A few minutes earlier El Jaish had suffered a blow when centre back Lucas Mendes had to leave the field after suffering a head injury. He was replaced by Mohamed Jabri
After the restart El Jaish piled on the pressure but it was the Lions who were the more effective with Soria coming closest. Then Jaish's Sardor Rashidov began to pull the strings on the wing and unleased a thunderous strike in the 52nd minute but keeper Omer Barry did well to tip the ball over for a corner.
Afte the hour mark, El Jaish made a change by bringing on Abdelrazzaq Hamdallah for Wagner Ribeiro as the army men looked for the equalizer. It would prove to be a wise substitution!
Five minutes later, Tabata played a quick corner and sent in a great delivery, but Garcia, one of the smallest players on the pitch rose highest and struck the post. Then Rayyan had another chance as a deflected pass found Soria, who with only the keeper to beat, struck a weak shot that keeper Khalifa Ndiaye scooped up.
With the minutes ticking by, El Jaish became more and more impatient and failed to create any kind of meaningful build up play before substitute Hamdallah scored with a superb strike from an inch perfect pass by Rashidov in the 86th minute.
El Jaish's joy however lasted barely a minute as Soria found Tabata with a fine pass from the left and the Brazilian made light work of the defence before sending in a delightful low curing effort which beat Jaish's rangy keeper Khalifa with the ball nestling in the left corner.
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