Al Arabi opened the scoring in the 26th minute through Khaled Matar before Brazilian striker Thiago Cardoso levelled the scores from the penalty spot before half-time.

But Al Arabi pulled away after the break thanks to a brace from Syrian striker Firas Al Khatib.

Al Arabi carved out the first opportunity of the match on 21 minutes, Ali Al Maqseed cutting in from the left wing before firing a shot just wide.

The chance was a clear warning to Al Rayyan, but it was not heeded as their opponents took the lead five minutes later. Khaled Abdulkudous sent Matar clear with a beautifully weighted through ball and he clipped the ball over goalkeeper Soud Al Hajri.

The goal sparked Al Rayyan into life and they were handed a way back into the match a minute before the break when goalkeeper Yousef Al Marzouq brought down Cardoso inside the area box.

Cardoso himself got up to calmly stroke home the penalty.

Al Arabi came out all guns blazing in the second half and went ahead in the 64th minute when Al Khatib received a neat pass from playmaker Khaled Abdulkudous and fired a powerful drive past Soud Al Hajri.

And Al Khatib put the result beyond doubt five minutes later, converting from the penalty spot after he had been fouled by Selman Mesbeh.

Al Arabi had further chances to add to their lead, but Abdulkudous could only shoot weakly straight at Al Hajri when clean through and Matar chipped wide when one-on-one with the keeper.