Lekhwiya’s Michael Laudrup (right) collecting the Best Coach award during the Qatar Football Association Annual Awards ceremony held at the Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday. (Right) Al Sadd’s Hassan al-Haydos (centre) receives the Best Player award from QFA president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmad al-Thani. Pictures: Anas Khalid

By Sports Reporter/Doha

In a glittering ceremony held at the Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday, Qatar Football Association felicitated the top performers of the 2014-15 Qatar Stars League season.
This was the second time that the awards ceremony had been hosted at the impressive QNCC on the outskirts of town opposite Education City.
It was time for the footballers to don their sharply cut suits and take in all the adulation for the hard work done during the QSL season. And the top honours of the day went to Al Sadd’s Hassan al-Haydos and Lekhwiya’s Michael Laudrup who walked away with the awards for the Best Player and Best Coach respectively.
Midfielder Haydos has delivered a strong season for Sadd having scored 11 goals and more importantly has been the backbone of the team this season. “This was really a team effort. All my teammates have helped me. This award goes to everybody at the club,” said al-Haydos after receiving the award.
Lekhwiya coach Laudrup has had a great domestic season having won the QSL title and the Qatar Cup. His team missed out on a treble when they lost to eventual champions Sadd in the Emir Cup semifinals. But two titles still represent a successful haul for Lekhwiya. “First of all I want to thank the club and all the players. It has been a fantastic season for us. And without the players and the team management and everybody at the club, I wouldn’t be standing here in front of you today,” said Laudrup after receiving the award.
The best team management award went to Qatar Sports Club. They produced one of the standout performances this season to finish a strong fourth in the league. Qatar SC’s Radhi Shenaishil was one of the strong contenders for the Coach of the year award but looks like Laudrup’s titles swung the vote in his favour.
The Mansour Muftah Award which recognizes the top scorer in QSL went to Al Ahli striker Alain Dioko who ended up with a tally of 25 goals. With Dioko having the award last year too, these back-to-back titles only go to prove his goal-scoring prowess. And he did better than last year when he had scored 22 goals. “I have many offers from many clubs in Qatar but I am happy with Al Ahli and I hope I can stay with the club,” said the Congolese striker.
The best U21 player went to Al Sailiya SC’s Abdurrahman Mohammed Ahmed al-Harazi. Sailiya haven’t had a great season this time around after they had managed an incredible top-four finish in the previous season. But al-Harazi’s performance stood out among the other candidates. “Yes it was a great award for what was otherwise a difficult season for Al Sailiya. Whilst our team struggled I was able to remain positive. This award is for all the young players at the club and bodes well for the young players at the club,” said al-Harazi yesterday.
Amongst the other awards, Ahli walked away with the Best Fan Base award. This award is given to the club who has demonstrated multiple levels of fan engagement. The award is about far more than just match attendance. The award also recognises the entire fan experience and the work done by clubs off the pitch to attract fans.
Kahrama walked away with the Best Amateur League Team Management award. This award is specifically for the newly formed Qatar Amateur League, the QAL and is given to the team who have demonstrated the best team management implementation according to the regulations.

QFA Awards
Best Player: Hassan Al Haydous – Al Sadd SC
The nominated players are chosen from the 14 QSL clubs. The other nominees were Hamdi al Harboui – Qatar Sports Club and Nam Tae-Hee – Lekhwiya SC.

Best Coach: Michael Laudrup – Lekhwiya SC
The nominated coaches are chosen from the 14 QSL clubs. The other nominees were Hussein Ammota – Al Sadd SC and Radhi Shenaishil – Qatar SC

Best Team Management – Qatar Sports Club
This award is dedicated to the best management of a team in the Qatar Stars League. This award is shortlisted by the Qatar Football Awards Committee. The other nominees were Al Ahli SC and Lekhwiya SC.

Mansour Muftah Award (Top Goal Scorer) – Al Ahli’s Alain Dioko (25 goals)
This award recognises the top scorer in Qatar’s highest football division- the Qatar Stars League.

Best U-21 Player: Abdurrahman Mohammed Ahmed Al-Harazi – Al Sailiya SC
The nomination is chosen according to the following requirements: participation, attendance, physical fitness and technical abilities. The other nominees were Abdurrahman Fayez Alrashidi – Al Gharafa SC and Ali Awad H.A. Bujaloof – Qatar Sports Club

Best Fan Base: Al Ahli
This award is given to the club who has demonstrated multiple levels of fan engagement. The award is about far more than just match attendance. The award also recognises the entire fan experience and the work done by clubs off the pitch to attract fans

Best Amateur League Team Management: Kahrama
The award is specifically for the newly formed Qatar Amateur League, the QAL. This award is given to the team who have demonstrated the best team management implementation according to the regulations.