Al Shahania made to rue draws after being relegated

Al Shahania were relegated to the Qatar Gas league after their 12th place finish in the recently concluded Qatar Stars League. It was a bitter pill to swallow for Oryxes as they suffered a heart-breaking 0-1 defeat to Qatar SC in the relegation play-off.
In truth, many people would not have given Shahania much of a chance of beating the drop, seeing that traditionally most newly-promoted sides often end up back in the Qatar Gas League after one season in the top flight. However, Shahania proved to be a real challenge for many of the sides in the QSL, and only missed out by survival by losing a relegation playoff.
Shahania made a solid start to life in the QSL, putting together an impressive four-game unbeaten streak, which saw then head Coach Jose Fernando pick up the coveted coach of the month award. While defeats to the top sides in the league followed, Shahania had a knack of drawing with the sides around them giving the promoted side a chance of beating relegation.
That all came crashing down just before the new year when Shahania suffered a humiliating 10-0 defeat to Lekhwiya. Fernando was promptly relieved of his duties and replaced with former Croatian national team coach Igor Stimac.
Under the new coach Shahania stabilised again, picking up crucial points against their opponents. However with 11 draws, it’s hard not to think that just one victory could have seen Shahania pull away from trouble all together.  
Despite this, a 2-2 draw at the end of the season against champions Lekhwiya ensured a relegation play-off against Qatar SC. However during the relegation play-off the Oryxes were just edged out by the Kings who returned to the QSL at the first time of asking with a 1-0 victory.
Head coach Stimac had been eager to praise the efforts of his players in training and during games. The Croatian coach will be hoping that his side can repeat their winning ways that could return them to the QSL at the first time of asking.