Al Wakrah secured third spot at the QNB Stars League when they crushed Umm Salal 4-0 at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Thursday.
The victory took Al Wakrah's points tally to 37 points from 20 matches, with two rounds left. They are currently third on the table behind champions Al Sadd and Al Duhail (42 points).
Al Wakrah went into the match with confidence as they looked to secure a top four-finish to qualify for the AFC Champions League play-offs. The Marquez Lopez’s side got an early breakthrough from a spot kick by Omid Ebrahimi in the 12th minute, before Hazem Shehata doubled the advantage in 24th minute. Omar Ali scored two late goals (82th minute and 90+3) to complete an impressive victory.
Meanwhile, Sofiane Hanni's goal in stoppage time (90+1) helped Al Gharafa jumped to fourth spot after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Al Rayyan. Al Gharafa fought back after James Rodriguez's 38th minute goal for Al Rayyan, with Almahdi Ali Mukhtar netting the equaliser in 47th minute.
Cheick Diabate gave Al Gharafa lead with a strike eight minutes later, before Hashim Ali leveled the score for Al Rayyan with a 72nd minute strike. A red card to Naif Al Hadhrami in 82nd proved costly for Al Rayyan, allowing space to Al Gharafa to net the winner.
Al Gharafa and Al Arabi – who drew with Al Khor 1-1 yesterday – are both on 30 points with the Cheetahs having an edge over the Dream Team on goal difference. Juma Al Habsi handed Al Khor a lead in 30th minute, with Adama Diomande rescuing a draw for Al Arabi in the 78th minute.
Al Sadd set to lift Falcon Shield
Meanwhile, Al Sadd, who secured their second successive QSL title in the previous round, will be crowned champions today following their match against rivals Al Duhail. Javi Gracia said his team will put their best effort to win the match.
“The next match for us is a big match against a very good team,” Gracia said yesterday. “Our mentality is to develop and improve day by day, we are ready to compete, knowing that it is one of the most important matches of the season. We know that we are the champions, but at the same time we must maintain our best level until the end,” he added.
Al Duhail coach Luis Castro hoped for his team’s victory on Al Sadd’s big day. “At the outset, I would like to congratulate Al Sadd on winning the league. Credit also goes to their former coach Xavi Hernandez and current coach Javi Gracia. Because Al Sadd will be crowned after this match, and we will go into it in order to win, as is the case with Al Sadd, who will also take the field to win,” said Castro.
The other match today will be played between Qatar SC and Al Sailiya.
The victory took Al Wakrah's points tally to 37 points from 20 matches, with two rounds left. They are currently third on the table behind champions Al Sadd and Al Duhail (42 points).
Al Wakrah went into the match with confidence as they looked to secure a top four-finish to qualify for the AFC Champions League play-offs. The Marquez Lopez’s side got an early breakthrough from a spot kick by Omid Ebrahimi in the 12th minute, before Hazem Shehata doubled the advantage in 24th minute. Omar Ali scored two late goals (82th minute and 90+3) to complete an impressive victory.
Meanwhile, Sofiane Hanni's goal in stoppage time (90+1) helped Al Gharafa jumped to fourth spot after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Al Rayyan. Al Gharafa fought back after James Rodriguez's 38th minute goal for Al Rayyan, with Almahdi Ali Mukhtar netting the equaliser in 47th minute.
Cheick Diabate gave Al Gharafa lead with a strike eight minutes later, before Hashim Ali leveled the score for Al Rayyan with a 72nd minute strike. A red card to Naif Al Hadhrami in 82nd proved costly for Al Rayyan, allowing space to Al Gharafa to net the winner.
Al Gharafa and Al Arabi – who drew with Al Khor 1-1 yesterday – are both on 30 points with the Cheetahs having an edge over the Dream Team on goal difference. Juma Al Habsi handed Al Khor a lead in 30th minute, with Adama Diomande rescuing a draw for Al Arabi in the 78th minute.
Al Sadd set to lift Falcon Shield
Meanwhile, Al Sadd, who secured their second successive QSL title in the previous round, will be crowned champions today following their match against rivals Al Duhail. Javi Gracia said his team will put their best effort to win the match.
“The next match for us is a big match against a very good team,” Gracia said yesterday. “Our mentality is to develop and improve day by day, we are ready to compete, knowing that it is one of the most important matches of the season. We know that we are the champions, but at the same time we must maintain our best level until the end,” he added.
Al Duhail coach Luis Castro hoped for his team’s victory on Al Sadd’s big day. “At the outset, I would like to congratulate Al Sadd on winning the league. Credit also goes to their former coach Xavi Hernandez and current coach Javi Gracia. Because Al Sadd will be crowned after this match, and we will go into it in order to win, as is the case with Al Sadd, who will also take the field to win,” said Castro.
The other match today will be played between Qatar SC and Al Sailiya.
