Doha: Al Sadd's Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla has been adjudged the Best Player for the months of September and October in this season's QNB Stars League (QSL).
Cazorla who joined the Al Sadd ranks this season, scored four goals and gave as many assists, according to STATS, the official statistics and figures provider for the QSL. In the process, Cazorla, who has had highly-successful stints with many European teams (mainly Arsenal and Villarreal), played a crucial role in Al Sadd’s impressive run during the period that saw them top the QSL standings with 13 points after five weeks’ action.
Meanwhile, Cazorla's former Spanish team-mate, Al Sadd's coach Xavi Hernandez was named the Best Coach for the same period.
Under Xavi, Al Sadd played five matches. They won four of them and drew one game.
The Wolves beat Al Kharaitiyat (5-1), Al Sailiya (5-1), Al Duhail (3-1) and Al Ahli (7-1). The only time they dropped points was when they were held to a goalless draw by Al Khor in Week 4.
Al Sadd’s game against Al Duhail was postponed from Week 3 due to both teams’ AFC Champions League engagements and was played on 21st October.
During the period, Al Sadd scored 20 goals while conceding four and they are now topping the QSL standings with 13 points.
Xavi’s playing career was full of success with Barcelona, where he joined at the age of 11, winning many titles especially in Spain and Europe.
In 2015, he moved to Al Sadd, where he won the QSL, Amir Cup and Qatar Cup. The Spaniard took up coaching after retiring as a player at the end of 2018-19 season with Al Sadd. He has since been at the helm of Al Sadd. Al Sadd's next match in the QSL will be against Al Arabi on November 22. The fixtures from weeks 6 to 9 have been puched back taking into consideration the 2020 AFC Champions League’s East Zone matches scheduled in Doha from November 18 to December 19.
Meanwhile, QSL also announced that Humam Al Ameen of Al Gharafa has been adjudged the Best Under-23 Player for the months of September and October.
Humam, one of the key players of Al Gharafa, has been playing a vital role in the team’s Serbian coach Slavisa Jokanovic’s scheme of things. He played in Al Gharafa’s all five matches, spending a total of 440 minutes on the pitch, according to STATS.
After five rounds of action, Al Gharafa registered three wins and two defeats. The Cheetahs defeated Qatar SC 2-0, Al Arabi 2-1 and Al Kharaitiyat 2-0. And they lost 1-3 to Al Rayyan and then 2-4 to Al Sailiya in Week 5 before the tournament took a break.
Al Gharafa are currently placed fourth in the table with nine points.
