Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga featured for 81 minutes as Al Arabi held Al Rayyan to a goalless draw on Saturday and denied their opponents the opportunity to move clear in the Qatar Stars League title race.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe result left Al Rayyan second in the standings with 18 points after eight rounds, level with leaders Al Sadd and third-placed Al Duhail.Rayyan trail Sadd on goal difference, having scored 13 goals more than they have conceded compared to the leaders' +1; Duhail have a +11 goal difference.##NAJAVA_MECA_10077478##Al Arabi remains fourth with 13 points, while Lusail climbed to seventh on nine points following a late 2-1 victory over bottom-placed Al Sailiya.At Al Thumama Stadium, both sides created opportunities but could not find a breakthrough in an entertaining encounter.Al Arabi started brightly, with Pablo Sarabia testing Rayyan goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Nada in the 11th minute, before Ahmed Alaa forced Jassim Al-Hail into action at the other end with a powerful effort in the 22nd minute.The hosts continued to threaten, with Ahmed Fathi seeing his effort saved in the 31st minute.Stars Abroad: Obiero strikes as Carlisle extend unbeaten run to seven gamesSarabia tested Abu Nada again six minutes before the break, while Roger Guedes missed a promising opportunity after delaying his effort when through on goal.Al Arabi maintained their attacking intent after the restart and came close to breaking the deadlock in the 69th minute when Fathi's powerful attempt was turned behind for a corner.Rayyan gradually grew into the contest and pushed for a late winner, but Al Arabi's defense remained resolute to secure a point.Olunga was withdrawn in the 81st minute, with Amid Mahagna coming on in his place. The Kenyan striker had a relatively quiet outing, recording no shots and one key pass, with 18 touches and a passing accuracy of 78 per cent (7/9).He also completed one of his two attempted dribbles and won two of four ground duels and three of six aerial duels.TACTICAL ANALYSIS: How Migori Youth adapted to lock out high flying ShabanaHis defensive contribution included two clearances and two recoveries, while he lost possession five times.It was the first time in a month that the Harambee Stars skipper had finished a match without scoring or providing an assist.A victory would have taken Al Arabi to within three points of the top of the standings, but the draw leaves them five points behind the leading trio.Kenya U15 finish in top 30 globally after impressive FIFA U-15 World Cup outingElsewhere, Al Duhail maintained their title challenge with a 3-1 victory over Al Wakrah at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.Polish striker Krzysztof Piatek opened the scoring in the 14th minute before Amin Zahzouh restored parity for Wakrah.Al Duhail regained the advantage through Sultan Al-Buraik in the 85th minute, with Omar Sekou adding a third two minutes later to seal the victory.##NAJAVA_MECA_10077479##Harper features as Salford extend winning run with late Exeter victoryKenyan defender Vincent Harper made a second-half appearance for Exeter City as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Salford City on Saturday, ending their five-match unbeaten run in League Two.Harper was introduced in the 69th minute, replacing Sonny Cox, as Exeter sought to protect their lead before eventually conceding twice, including a dramatic late winner from Will Aimson.Former Harambee Stars keeper Patrick Matasi begins new Christian journeyHarper, who is back at Exeter on loan from Walsall, came in after Aimson scored a dramatic late winner, with Luke Garrett having cancelled out Cox's first-half opener.Exeter, who had gone five league matches unbeaten heading into the encounter, started brightly and threatened through Cox, who was brought down outside the penalty area by Salford goalkeeperHarper, who replaced Cox, made a limited contribution during his time on the pitch, registering a recovery and a clearance.The victory keeps Salford at the summit of the League Two standings with 31 points, while Exeter remain 12th on 19 points.
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