DOHA: Things took a dramatic turnaround for El Jaish over two rounds in the Qatar Stars League last week. They had been unbeaten after 10 rounds and had convincingly led the table, but now they have suffered back-to-back defeats.

The Armymen’s reversals, at the hands of Al Ahli and Al Rayyan, have swung the momentum back in champions Al Sadd’s favour and they can consolidate their position at the top if they can beat two-time champions Lekhwiya on Wednesday. Sadd now lead Jaish by virtue of goal difference.

Jaish had looked jaded and disjointed, especially in defence, against Al Gharafa and Al Sailiya, but they still kept going. They may have hoped the 2-3 defeat against Ahli early last week was just an aberration, but Rayyan proved there was a definite slump in form by handing them a 1-0 defeat.

Playmaker Rodrigo Tabata, who looks like getting back to his lethal form, scored the all-important goal in the ninth minute. Fellow-Brazilian striker Nilmar did the spadework as he sent the defence in disarray by twisting and turning his way forward on the right side before picking an unmarked Tabata at the far post who chested the ball home.

While it was an embarrassing turn of events for Jaish coach Razvan Lucescu, his Rayyan counterpart Manuel Jimenez portrayed a contrasting image, pumping his fist in air and smiling. It was his first win since taking charge of Rayyan, after suffering two defeats and as many draws.

The win took their tally to 12 points.

The return of injured players like Daniel Goumo and Abdullah Afifa gave Jimenez some welcome options while his frontline players, especially Nilmar, acted with far more purpose.

“It’s a valuable win everyone was waiting for,” said the former Sevilla and Real Zaragoza coach.

Arabi, who had beaten Rayyan 1-0 in the previous round, climbed to sixth after shocking Al Gharafa 2-0 at home, with Abdulaziz Hatem (54th) and Jesus Meza (65th) netting the goals.

In Tuesday’s other games, Qatar Sports Club defeated Umm Salal 2-0 and Al Sailiya drubbed MuaitherSC 4-1.