Report by Dr. Talal Osman
Al Sadd were crowned champions of the Qatar Stars League after defeating 10‑man Al Shamal 3–2 in the 22nd and final matchday on Monday, confirming their deserved third‑in‑a‑row title and 19th in club history—a national record.
Title‑deciding clash
The “Leaders” reached 45 points, five clear of runners‑up Al Shamal, and cemented their dominance by lifting the third successive title and extending their record to 19 league crowns.
Although just one point would have been enough to seal the crown mathematically, Italian coach Roberto Mancini’s side showed no mercy. They raced ahead early thanks to a powerful strike from star winger Akram Afif, who cut in and shot hard; the ball deflected off Iranian defender Omid Ebrahimi and into the net in the 19th minute.
Before Al Shamal could recover, Al Sadd struck again in the 22nd minute, when Brazilian Claudinho weaved past several defenders and fed compatriot Roberto Firmino, who slid the ball past the keeper to make it 2–0.
Al Shamal’s hopes of a comeback were crushed in the 50th minute, when Algerian defender Abdessamad Bounacer was sent off after bringing down Afif to deny a clear‑through chance.
Late drama at Jassim bin Hamad
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Al Shamal cut the deficit through Algerian forward Baghdad Bounedjah, who finished a well‑delivered pass from Spanish midfielder Álex Quintero in the 65th minute.
Brazilian Paulo Otávio restored the two‑goal cushion almost immediately, converting a cross from fellow Brazilian Giovanni Henrique in the 67th minute.
Al Shamal refused to surrender and reduced the gap again in the 85th minute, when Quintero won and converted a penalty taken by Colombian striker Jesús Murillo, without being able to prevent the loss.
Relegation and African‑place races
Meanwhile, Umm Salal were relegated directly to the Qatari Second Division after losing 1–3 to Al Ahli, ending the season with 20 points in last‑placed 12th. Al Ahli climbed to 26 points in ninth after goals from Islam Yassin (5), Dutchman Mitchell (48), and German Julian Draxler (57); Umm Salal’s only goal came from Moroccan Oussama Tannane (69).
Al Shahania secured a relegation‑play‑off berth by grabbing a 1–1 draw against Al Gharafa—a late equaliser from Belgian Francisco Antonucci (90+10) earning them 21 points in 11th, one point above the relegated Umm Salal. Algerian Yacine Brahimi (48) had put Al Gharafa ahead.
Al Rayyan crushed Al Arabi 4–0 to consolidate third place on 38 points, edging ahead of Al Gharafa on goal difference. Four different players found the net: Spaniard Rodrigo Moreno (26), Brazilian Rogério Guedes (24)—who finished the season as league top scorer with 21 goals—Khalid Ali (49), and another Brazilian Wesley Ribeiro (72). Al Arabi, on 32 points, dropped to seventh.
Al Rayyan also secured at least a continental place, either in the AFC Champions League Two or, should the league title holder or runner‑up also win the Emir’s Cup, in the elite AFC Champions League Elite.
Other final‑day results
Al Duhail claimed a morale‑boosting 2–1 win over Qatar, moving to 33 points in fifth. Brazilian Lucas Milu “Tuta” scored twice (13, 54), while Comorian Fayz Salimani replied for Qatar (42). Qatar thus slipped to 32 points in sixth.
Al Sailiya remained above the relegation zone despite a 1–3 loss to Al Khor, ending on 22 points in 10th. Spanish duo Luis Alberto (8, 85) and Youssef Abderrazzaq (45+8) scored for Khor, while Tunisian Youssef Sanhaji pulled one back for Al Sailiya (66).
With Al Sadd now celebrating yet another title, the domestic season concludes in glory for the Qatari giants and uncertainty for several clubs battling relegation and continental qualification in the weeks ahead.
