Doha: The four slots for the 2017 Qatar Cup have now been formally confirmed following Al Gharafa losing to Umm Salal in the Qatar Stars League on Sunday, bringing the Cheetahs chances of taking part in the end of the season tournament to an end.It means that Lekhwiya, Al Sadd, Al Rayyan and El Jaish will now take part in the Qatar Cup which is seen as the traditional end of season tournament to close the domestic season. This is the second year in a row that all four teams have qualified for the tournament. Further details on the Qatar Cup will be announced in due course, via the official QSL website and social media channels. Last season, El Jaish lifted the Qatar Cup for the second time in their history after Sabri Lamouchi’s side defeated Lekhwiya 2-1 in the final.QSL title race going down to the wireThe Qatar Stars League race is set to go to the last two rounds of the season, with the two title challengers posting impressive wins against their top four rivals. League leaders Lekhwiya proved too strong for a lackluster El Jaish side, as the Red Knights ran out 5-1 winners. While Al Sadd picked up a comfortable 4-1 Qatar Clasico win over rivals Al Rayyan, who were reduced to ten men midway through the first half.Lekhwiya and Sadd will now be hoping their rivals can slip up in round 25 with both sides taking on mid-table opposition at home on Thursday evening. Lekhwiya will take on Al Ahli, whilst Al Sadd will take on Al Sailiya.Meanwhile, Al Wakrah and Muaither confirmed their relegation to the second division on Saturday evening. Wakrah had been put at the foot of the QSL table for a number of weeks now, and sealed their fate with a 2-0 loss to relegation rivals Al Khor. For Muaither, they managed a battling 1-1 draw with Al Sailiya. However it wasn’t enough for Phillipe Birols’ men to avoid the drop with teams above them in the league registering important wins.Da Silva signs short term deal at LekhwiyaLekhwiya have confirmed the signing of Brazilian striker Edgar Da Silva for the remainder of the season on a short term deal.It is thought that Da Silva has been brought in to cover for the absence of the clubs leading scorer Yusef El Arabi, who has been ruled out of the season with a shoulder injury. Da Silva is no stranger to the region having played for Al Shabab and Al Wasl in the Arabian Gulf League.Da Silva wasted little time in making an impact for his new side, coming off the bench and scoring the fourth goal for Lekhwiya who brushed aside local rivals El Jaish 5-1 on Sunday evening. Ismael set for spell on sidelinesAl Sadd will be without defender Hamad Ismael ahead of their round 24 clash against Al Sailiya after the Qatar international picked up his fourth yellow card of the season in the Qatar ‘Clasico’ against Al Rayyan. The yellow card means that Ismael will sit out of the Thursday’s evening game, which is set to take place at Al Sadd stadium. The Wolves will be looking to continue the pressure on first place Lekhwiya who are currently leading the league by two points.
April 03, 2017 | 08:11 PM