Al Arabi and Umm Salal Secure Dominant Wins in QSL Cup

In a thrilling conclusion to the QSL Cup league stage, Al Arabi and Umm Salal delivered impressive performances, each claiming significant victories on March 15, 2024. Al Arabi overwhelmed Al Sadd with a decisive 5-0 win, while Umm Salal secured a 3-0 triumph over Al Duhail, setting the stage for the upcoming knockout rounds.

Al Arabi’s Dominance

Al Arabi showcased their strength at Al Khor Stadium, taking full advantage of a weakened Al Sadd side primarily composed of younger players. The match was effectively decided in the first half, as Al Arabi raced to a commanding 4-0 lead before the halftime whistle. Goals from Karl Toko Ekambi in the fourth minute, followed by strikes from Gerard Hernandez (19), Salem Reda (23), and Mohamad Khalid Gouda (35), left Al Sadd reeling.

The scoring continued in the second half, with Joao Pedro Daros adding the final goal to cement the victory. With this win, Al Arabi finished the league stage with 19 points, while Al Sadd concluded their campaign at the bottom of the table with just 5 points.

Umm Salal’s Path to Knockouts

Meanwhile, at Grand Hamad Stadium, Umm Salal boosted their chances of advancing directly to the quarter-finals. They secured a well-earned 3-0 victory over Al Duhail, with goals from Ali Afif (25), Cristo Gonzalez (37), and Abdullah Khalid Al Sheikh (87). This performance positioned Umm Salal second in the standings with 20 points, trailing only Al Rayyan, who lead with 25 points.

The top two teams will advance directly to the quarter-finals, while teams ranked third to fourteenth will compete in knockout rounds for the remaining spots. Al Duhail’s defeat confirmed their elimination, as they ended the league stage with just 9 points.

In another important match, Qatar SC narrowly defeated Al Gharafa 3-2, ensuring their place in the knockout stage. Qatar SC surged ahead with goals from Sebastian Soria, Yan Matheus, and Abdulrasheed Ibrahim, establishing a 3-0 lead in the first half. Al Gharafa attempted a comeback with goals from Rabeh Boussafi and Ibrahim Tamer, but ultimately fell short, finishing the league stage with 5 points.

In other fixtures, Al Sailiya edged out Al Ahli with a score of 2-1, concluding their campaign with 18 points. Younes Husein scored a penalty for Al Ahli, who ended with 9 points.

The action in Round 10 continues today, featuring matches including Al Markhiya against Al Wakrah, Al Kharaitiyat versus Al Shamal, and Al Waab meeting Al Shahania.