DOHA – Iraq’s 2007 AFC Asian Cup-winning skipper Younis Mahmoud inspired Qatar League pacesetters Al Gharafa to a 3-2 round 16 win over Al Shamal, with last season’s top scorer weighing in with a late double as the runaway leaders won their 15th game of the current campaign.

Brazilian striker Evando put Al Shamal one up in the first minute before the 30-year-old stunned the champions-elect with his second in the 67th minute.

However, the two-goal cushion would last just two minutes as Evando’s compatriot Araújo pulled one back for Al Gharafa before AFC Asian Cup 2007 MVP and joint-top scorer Younis Mahmoud completed the turnaround with goals in the 79th and 88th minutes.

Ali Afif scored the only goal of the game as defending champions Al Sadd edged Qatar Sports Club to trail Al Gharafa by 14 points while Al Rayyan moved up to third thanks to a 2-1 defeat of Al Arabi.

In the remaining round 16 matches Al Saliya and Al Wakra drew 2-2 while bottom-of-the-table Al Khor picked up only their third win of the season courtesy of a 2-0 defeat of Umm Salal.