Al Sadd players celebrate after winning the match as they sealed their 16th QSL title.
Doha: The 2021-2022 edition of the QNB Stars League (QSL) is all about Al Sadd’s success.
The Wolves continued to tame their opponents with a ruthless show throughout the season to retain the coveted Falcon Shield.
Yesterday, it was just another episode of their sheer dominance in the 12-team league when they pounded Al Ahli 8-2 to seal a record-extending 16th crown in Qatar’s top flight.
Al Rayyan are second with eight titles.
With four matches still in hand, the Wolves took their points tally to 52 from 17 victories and a draw, gaining an unassailable lead over second-placed Al Duhail. The Red Knights moved to 42 points from 19 matches after a 5-0 thumping over Qatar SC, later yesterday.
“It’s a wonderful moment for all of us, the players, staff and the fans,” Al Sadd coach Javi Gracia, who replaced Xavi Hernandez in December, said after Al Ahli’s drubbing.
“I have won many titles but this is a special one. I want to thank the players, technical, administrative and medical staff for their efforts throughout the season,” he added.
The Wolves, who also remained undefeated in their title triumph last year under coach Xavi, have been even better this season as they stretched their unbeaten streak in the QSL to 44 games after the victory at the Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium, yesterday.
They have so far scored a whopping 72 goals and conceded only 20 goals, showing supremacy over their opponents. No other team has even touched the 50-goal mark yet.
Gracia said Al Sadd’s 77th overall title was not enough to quench team’s thirst.
“We want to continue winning and everybody at Al Sadd is hungry for more titles,” the Spaniard said, before adding the team was setting sights on a record-extending 19th Amir Cup trophy.
“We will now focus on the quarter-finals against A Ahli (March 5) as our next goal is to win the Amir Cup,” said Gracia.
Another dominant show
Ahead of the Al Ahli match, Akram Afif said the team could not wait more to win the title, and the Al Sadd playmaker was the first to score against Al Ahli yesterday, opening the floodgates with a 10th minute strike.
Hassan Al Haydos doubled the lead from a spot kick in 29th minute after Al Ahli’s Hossein Kanaani was given the marching orders for handling Abdelkarim Hassan’s shot.
Boualem Khoukhi (33rd minute), Santi Cazorla (36th minute), Baghdad Bounedjah (43rd minute) inflicted further damage on Al Ahli as Al Sadd led 5-0 at half-time.
The Brigadiers made a brief fightback with goals from Abdulrasheed Umaru (51st minute) and Aldokali Alsayed (61st minute), before Andre Ayew (63rd minute and 90+3) and Yousef Abdulrazaq (77th minute) added three more goals for Al Sadd to clinch the second successive title in style.
“The feeling of the title win cannot be described in words,” a jubilant Bounedjah, said.
“Al Sadd deserved the title after such a brilliant performance. We dedicate this title to our fans, who always support us. Our next targets now are the Amir Cup and the Asian Champions League titles,” he added.
Meanwhile, Al Duhail moved eight points clear of Al Wakrah after outclassing Qatar SC at the Grand Hamad Stadium.
Michael Olunga (43 minute and 61) and captain Almoez Ali (65 minute, pen and 89) scored a brace apiece, with Mubarak Shanan Hamza netting in the 90th minute to complete a comprehensive victory.
The Red Knights just need one victory now from their three remaining games to ensure a second finish in the QSL.
QSL: RECENT CHAMPIONS
2021/22 Al Sadd SC
2020/21 Al Sadd SC
2019/20 Al Duhail SC
2018/19 Al Sadd SC
2017/18 Al Duhail SC
2016/17 Lekhwiya Sports Club
2015/16 Al Rayyan SC
2014/15 Lekhwiya Sports Club
2013/14 Lekhwiya Sports Club
2012/13 Al Sadd SC
2011/12 Lekhwiya Sports Club
2010/11 Lekhwiya Sports Club
2009/10 Al Gharafa SC
MOST TITLE WINS BY TEAMS
Al Sadd (16) 1971–72, 1973–74, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1999–00, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2012–13, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021-22
Al Rayyan (8) 1975–76, 1977–78, 1981–82, 1983–84, 1985–86, 1989–90, 1994–95, 2015–16
Al Arabi (7) 1982–83, 1984–85, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97
Al Gharafa (7) 1991–92, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10
Al Duhail (7) 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20
Qatar SC (3) 1972–73, 1976–77, 2002–03
Al Wakrah (2) 1998–99, 2000–01
