A first half Kristian Nemeth penalty was enough for Al Gharafa to edge out Al Khor 1-0. Al Gharafa certainly didn't enjoy the majority of chances in the game, but none the less came away with all three points in a feisty encounter on Friday evening at Al Gharafa stadium.
Al Gharafa took an early lead from the penalty spot when Khor defender Majed Aman was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area. The referee duly pointed to the penalty spot, and Hungarian striker Kriszti?n Nemeth stepped up and promptly rifled the ball into the back of the net from twelve yards out.
Khor stepped up as the first half progressed and created three clear-cut chances to draw level. First up Moroccan attacker Mouhcine Iajour saw his point blank header saved by Yousef Hassan on the eighteenth minute. Whilst two minutes later, Khor's diminutive midfielder Madson saw his curling shot skip just wide of the post.
Jean Fernandez's side ended the first half on the front foot, and could of headed into the break level had Babou Sidiki's snapshot from a tight angle hit the target. The first half ended in favour of the hosts with Al Gharafa taking a 1-0 lead into the second half.
The Knights picked up from where they left off in the first half and after the restart Al Khor could and perhaps should of found a leveller, however Moroccan striker Mouhcine Iajour mistimed his header from a flicked on corner.
On the hour mark, Al Khor pushed ahead on the counter attack with Iajour setting up Madson with a well placed through ball. Racing ahead of the defence the Brazilian had plenty of time to compose himself, however his drilled shot was well saved by Yousef Hassan in the Gharafa goal.
Al Gharafa started to see more of the ball in the second half and on the sixty third minute Hungarian attacker Kristian Nemeth whipped in a perfect cross to Abdulghani Muneer but his headed effort was comfortably saved by Papa Djibril in the Al Khor goal.
Despite Al Khor's efforts they where unable to find their way back into the tie, and dropped into eleventh place in the AQatar Stars League (QSL) standings. As for Al Gharafa they remain in fifth place in the QSL standings.

Source: QNA