Doha, Qatar – Al Arabi secured a dominant victory over Al Sadd with a 5-0 scoreline in the final round of the QSL Cup yesterday, while Umm Salal also claimed a significant win against Al Duhail. These results have reshaped the standings as teams prepare for the upcoming knockout stage of the QSL Cup. The decisive matches took place across several stadiums in Doha, setting the stage for a competitive quarter-final push.
Al Arabi’s commanding performance at Al Khor Stadium saw them overwhelm a largely youth-based Al Sadd side. Umm Salal’s 3-0 win at Grand Hamad Stadium further solidified their position in the tournament. The QSL Cup serves as a crucial platform for teams to test their lineups and strategies ahead of more significant competitions.
Al Arabi’s Dominance and Al Sadd’s Struggles in the QSL Cup
Al Arabi quickly asserted their control against Al Sadd, scoring within the first four minutes through Karl Toko Ekambi. Gerard Hernandez, Salem Reda, and Mohamad Khalid Gouda added to the tally before halftime, effectively ending the contest. Joao Pedro Daros completed the rout in the second half, showcasing Al Arabi’s attacking prowess.
This victory propelled Al Arabi to 19 points in the 20-team league, a strong finish that will boost their confidence heading into the knockout rounds. In stark contrast, Al Sadd finished at the bottom of the table with only five points, highlighting a challenging campaign for the traditionally strong club. The heavy reliance on under-19 and under-23 players in this match was a strategic decision by Al Sadd, but ultimately proved ineffective.
Umm Salal and Qatar SC Advance
Meanwhile, Umm Salal’s convincing 3-0 victory over Al Duhail, with goals from Ali Afif, Cristo Gonzalez, and Abdullah Khalid Al Sheikh, significantly improved their chances of direct qualification for the quarter-finals. They currently hold second place with 20 points, trailing only Al Rayyan, who lead with 25.
Qatar SC also secured their place in the knockout stage with a narrow 3-2 win over Al Gharafa at Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium. Sebastian Soria, Yan Matheus, and Abdulrasheed Ibrahim established a comfortable lead, but Al Gharafa mounted a late challenge with goals from Rabeh Boussafi and Ibrahim Tamer. This result brings Qatar SC’s total points to 13.
Elsewhere, Al Sailiya defeated Al Ahli 2-1, with Yousef Zaid and Mohammad Ostadi finding the net for the victors. Younes Husein scored the consolation goal for Al Ahli. The match saw both teams vying for a better position in the standings, but Al Sailiya ultimately emerged victorious, finishing with 18 points.
The defeat for Al Duhail confirmed their elimination from the competition, concluding their league stage with nine points. Al Gharafa also concluded their stage with five points. These outcomes demonstrate the competitive nature of the Qatar Stars League Cup and the importance of consistent performance.
Today’s schedule includes three more crucial matches: Al Markhiya versus Al Wakrah, Al Kharaitiyat against Al Shamal, and Al Waab facing Al Shahania. These games will further clarify the final standings and determine which teams will advance directly to the quarter-finals, and which will participate in the preliminary knockout rounds. The results of these matches will be key for teams hoping to contend for the Qatar football title.
The remaining teams ranked third to fourteenth will now compete in the knockout rounds to secure their spots in the last eight. The exact dates and times for these matches will be announced by the QSL in the coming days. Observers will be watching closely to see if Umm Salal can maintain their momentum and secure a direct quarter-final berth, and how the teams involved in the knockout rounds perform under pressure.
