Gulf Times
Al Arabi scored two second half goals to beat Umm Salal 2-0 and seal a dream fourth finish at the QNB Stars League at the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium on Thursday.
The Dream Team finished their season on 36 points as Al Gharafa were confined to 30 points after a 3-2 loss to Al Sailiya (16 points), who avoided relegation, and will face Second Division League runner-up Al Kharaitiyat in the QSL play-off.
Al Khor despite beating Qatar SC 1-0 in their last match yesterday suffered relegation, on the basis of goal-difference (-25 as compared to Al Sailiya’s -19) as they also finished the season with 16 points.
Aaron Boupendza (59th minute) and Youssef Msakni (61) struck goals for Al Arabi, who finished an impressive season under coach Younes Ali with 11 victories.
Al Arabi’s victory ruled Al Gharafa (30 points) out of contention for the fourth finish, but Al Sailiya gained much by defeating The Cheetahs as they salvaged a chance to retain their QSL spot.
Mohamed Salah (16th), Mohamed Muddather (24’) and Driss Fettouhi (76’) scored goals for Al Sailiya, while Cheick Diabate (2’) and Ahmed Alaaeldin (45+1) scored for Al Gharafa.
Meanwhile, Al Khor’s win against Qatar SC at their home turf came after a stoppage time goal (90+2) by Pierre-Michel Lasogga. Qatar SC finished their season with 23 points.
Earlier, Al Duhail and Al Ahli played out a goalless draw in their last round match at the Al Gharafa Stadium.
Al Duhail and Al Ahli finished their campaign with 47 and 25 points respectively.
Al Duhail had beaten Al Ahli 6-0 in the first leg of 2021-2022 season QNB Stars League.
Both teams relied on a large number of substitutes, especially Al Duhail, who rested a number of their main players ahead of their Amir Cup semi-final against Al Sadd.
Al Duhail had already made sure of the runners-up position in the 2021-2022 QNB Stars League behind already-crowned champions Al Sadd. Al Wakrah who will end their season with a match against the Wolves today are ensured of a third place.
Results
Al Arabi beat Umm Salal 2-0; Al Duhail draw with Al Ahli 0-0; Al Khor beat Qatar SC 1-0 ; Al Sailiya beat Al Gharafa 3-2
Today’s matches: Al Rayyan vs Al Shamal (5pm); Al Sadd vs Al Wakrah (7:10pm)