DOHA, April 29, 2018 - Al Khor knocked out Al Markhiya in the Emir Cup with a 10-9 penalty win after both teams played out an exciting 1-1 draw in regulation time at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Saturday.
Cameroon striker Ariel Ngueukam scores the opener in the ninth minute with a flying header from close range to give Khor the lead in the E. Saleh al Yazidi, on loan from Al Sadd restored parity in the ninth minute of the second half.
Al Khor will now meet Al Sadd in round three of Qatar's most prestigious cup competition. With 18 kicks taken and all converted, Markhiya goalkeeper Mohammed Montasser was next in line against Khalifa Ndiaye. But Montasser was unlucky as his shot was agonisingly wide.
Khalifa did not make mistake as he calmly slotted the ball past the Qatari to give Al Khor a sensational win. The match lived up to its billing as both teams gave their all to clinch a berth against Al Sadd. It was Al Khor who dominated the early exchanges and was rewarded a goal when Soroush Rafiel shot was blocked by Montasser and striker Ariel pounced on the lose ball with a perfect header from close range to give the Knights a perfect start.
Adan Quilnela was Markhiya's liveliest player until he was red carded in the second half. His all-round contribution pushed the team forward from his left flank position. But his inadequacy was his inability to put the ball into the box from several attempts. Eric de Oliveira couldn't replicate his goal-scoring form in their last round match as the striker missed a chance to equalise in the 40th minute. He miscued the ball with the keeper at his mercy after an opponent intended pass to his keeper fell to his path.
On second half resumption, Markhiya playing more purposeful and coordinated leveled the tie from Saleh's cool finish inside the box in the 56th minute. He collected a through pass and raced into the heart of the Al Khor defence before unleashing a low shot to beat Khalifa. Bilal Mohammed was denied a goal when Khalifa saved his canon header just after the hour mark.
Aden Ali Quenella was red carded for a second bookable offense. After raising his feet high to Khalifa's chest in a commotion. In the day's other game, Umm Salal proved too hot for Al Kharaitiyat with a 5-0 rout. Oussama Darragi broke the deadlock in the 12th minute when Mahmoud al Mawas' through ball opened space for him to shoot past the opponent's keeper.
Baba Malick made a double save to deny Ahmed al Sadah and Abdullah al Enezi to maintain Umm Salal's lead in the 17th minute. Darragi should have scored his second goal but his effort was cleared near the touchline just after the half-hor mark. Kharaitiyat conceded a penalty just a minute before the break when Sanzhar Tursunov handled the ball inside the box. The resultant was neatly dispatched Sagbo.
Mawas made it 4-0 with a fine finish staving off the challenge of Saoud Nasser. Kharaititiyat conceded another penalty and Sagbo scored his second of the game to make it 5-0. Umm Salal has a date with league defending Al Duhail in their fourth round fixture scheduled to hold on Friday.