Al Duhail clinched the QNB Stars League (QSL) 2019-2020 title after defeating Al Ahli 1-0 in their last round match at Al Janoub Stadium, yesterday.
Striker Paulo Edmilson scored their match-winning goal in the 24th minute off a free kick, giving the Red Knights a well deserved Falcon Shield in front of a limited number of fans, owing to COVID-19 precautionary measures.
Al Rayyan, who entered the final round with a one-goal deficit to Al Duhail, finished second despite an emphatic 2-0 victory against Al Wakrah at Al Sadd Stadium. Both the Round 22 matches were played simultaneously.
Al Duhail were paid for their consistent performance throughout the season as they lost only two games, winning 16 games while drawing 4 matches. Al Rayyan finished with 14 wins, six draws and a defeat. Al Sadd, the 14-time champions, finished third in the 12-team event.
“I want to congratulate all those who are part of Al Duhail team. I am very happy with my first title here,” Walid Regragui, who replaced Rui Faria as Al Duhail head coach, said after the title triumph. It was not an easy season because of the pandemic and my team deserves all the credit for their hardwork. I would also like to congratulate Al Rayyan who kept us pushing throughout the last stage. The QSL also deserves a lot of praise for their efforts in completion of the league,” Regragui added.
The Al Duhail coach played a full strength side in striker Youssef Msakni absence as the winners came with a straightforward plan of defeating Al Ahli.
With their captain and Qatar star Almoez Ali looking off colour yesterday, Edmilson rose on the occasion with a good performance as Al Duhail dominated the entire finale. They took charge and attacked the opposition right from the start but Mohammed Muntari’s goal in the fifth minute was ruled offside.
Al Ahli won their first corner kick of the match, three minutes later but was unable to pose much challenge to a solid Al Duhail defense.
Captain Almoez missed a golden opportunity, failing to connect the ball from a close range with goal almost open in the 13th minute. As Al Duhail continued to push for a goal, Al Ahli goalkeeper Ivanildo Rodriguesdo was cautioned for a handball outside circle as he tried to stop an attack, resulting in a free kick.
Edmilson took the free kick from just outside the circle and his strike took deflection of Al Ahli’s Abdulrasheed Umaru Ibrahiim and landed in goal in front of hapless Rodriguesdo, taking Al Duhail ahead.
The Red Knights created more chances and in one of those attacks, Muntari’s powerful strike in 30th minute missed the top post by a few inches. Al Duhail’s another goal was disallowed due to offside, after VAR decision cut short Almoez’s celebration in a 41st minute attack.
Al Duhail went into the breather dominating the game with a 64 percent of ball possession.
Soon after the start of second half, Rodriguesdo denied Edmilson his second goal with a diving save on his right. In 49th minute, Edmilson managed to defeat the Al Ahli goalkeeper but this time Al Ahli’s Jasem Mohamed Omer blocked his strike in an excellent effort, avoiding a two-goal deficit.
Almoez came close to scoring a few more times but did not succeed due to lack of execution. However, his attacks kept Al Ahli defenders in check. Al Ahli’s first realistic chance of scoring came in 63rd minute but Navid Mohammad Dorzadeh, who was positioned well near the goal was slow in his response after receiving a brilliant cross.
Almoez was called off in the 85th minute with seasoned midfielder Ali Afif coming off the bench. He made his presence felt and produced a few more attacks before Al Duhail players and fans erupted in jubilation to celebrate a memorable title win.
Meanwhile, at Al Sadd Stadium, goals from feared striker Yaccine Brahimi and Argentinean Gabriel Mercado gave Al Rayyan 2-0 victory over Al Wakrah.
After a goalless first half that saw missed chances from both the sides, Brahimi put Al Rayyan ahead in the 59th minute with a fine strike from outside the circle - his 15th goal of the season. Mercado headed the ball into nets in a 71st minute corner.
Earlier, Al Arabi and Qatar SC played out a goalless draw in yesterday’s first match at Al Janoub Stadium. Al Arabi and Qatar SC finished their campaigns with 26 and 20 points respectively.
