Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Doha: Lekhwiya failed to fully capitalise on Qatar Stars League leaders Al Sadd's home defeat as the reigning Qatar champions were held to a 1-1 draw with fellow 2013 AFC Champions League participants Al Gharafa in their Qatar Stars League clash on Tuesday.
Naturalised Qatar international Sebastian Soria, who joined Al Gharafa in 2004 from Liverpool de Montevideo, put Lekhwiya one up against his former employers after just nine minutes only for Brazilian winger Nene (Anderson Luiz de Carvalho) to earn Al Gharafa a share of the spoils with the equaliser on the half-hour mark.
The point took Lekhwiya's tally to 36, four less than 2011 AFC Champions League winners Al Sadd, who saw their lead at the top of the current QSL standings cut after being hammered 4-1 by 2013 ACL participants Al Rayyan.
Lekhwiya will come up against another of Soria's clubs on Friday when they take on Qatar Sports Club in their last domestic fixture before facing Al Shabab Al Arabi on March 26 in their ACL 2013 Group B opener while Al Gharafa gear up for their Group C curtain-raiser with last year's runner-up Al Ahli, which takes place in Jeddah on March 27, with a QSL round 18 clash with Al Khor.