Doha: Al Gharafa secured a 2-1 victory over Al Rayyan, thanks to a brace from Florinel Coman, during Week 3 of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League at Al Bayt Stadium on Friday. This marked the first win for The Cheetahs in the league, following a defeat to Al Ahli in the previous match and a goalless draw against Al Khor in their opening game.
Despite appearing more dangerous, Al Rayyan initially took the lead in the 65th minute with a goal from Roger Guedes. However, Al Gharafa responded swiftly, with Coman finding the net in the 70th and 82nd minutes.
The final 15 minutes of the match were particularly exciting, including 10 minutes of stoppage time, as The Lions pressed for an equalizer while Al Gharafa squandered several close opportunities. This victory brought Al Gharafa’s points total to four, while Al Rayyan remained at three points, having recorded two losses and one win.
Al Rayyan’s first opportunity to take the lead arose in the 11th minute when Gabriel Pereira skillfully assisted Roger Guedes, who unfortunately missed the target by shooting wide to the left. In the 20th minute, Coman failed to convert a header for Al Gharafa. Shortly thereafter, Al Gharafa’s captain, Ferjani Sassi, struck a powerful shot from outside the box, narrowly missing the top right corner of the goal. The best chance for Al Gharafa in the first half came in the 45+6 minute when Jamal Hamed Mayor, with only the goalkeeper to beat, sent the ball wide to the right.
Shortly after the halftime interval, Al Rayyan’s Pereira attempted a shot from within the ‘D’, but the ball sailed past the upper left corner of the goal.
The stalemate was ultimately resolved when Al Rayyan capitalized on a corner kick. Andre Amaro initially directed the ball with a header, which then found Guedes, who was positioned perfectly to head it into the net.
Al Gharafa responded swiftly. Rabeh Yahia Boussafi, who had just entered the match as a substitute, executed an impressive left-footed through pass from the midfield to Joselu. Although Joselu struggled to gain control, an alert Coman surged forward to take the shot. This rapid sequence of play excited the spectators.
The match maintained its high tempo, and in the 78th minute, Al Gharafa exploited a defensive error by Al Rayyan. However, Coman’s attempt was thwarted by goalkeeper Sami Beldy.
Just four minutes later, Al Rayyan initiated an offensive maneuver, but Al Gharafa’s goalkeeper, Khalifa Ababacar, successfully saved a powerful shot from Pereira.
In response, Al Gharafa launched a counterattack, with Jamal Hamed advancing into the opponent’s penalty area from the left side. He unleashed a left-footed shot that was deflected by a diving Beldy, allowing Coman to position himself slightly to the right and strike, ultimately securing the lead. The shot eluded the goalkeeper to his right.
In the third minute of stoppage time, Joselu of Al Gharafa found himself with a clear opportunity, but he ventured too deep, and his left-footed shot was unable to surpass the outstretched right leg of the goalkeeper.
