The 2018-19 QNB Stars League, which saw Al Sadds triumph for a record-extending 14th time and Al Kharaitiyat’s relegation to the Second Division, saw an unprecedented number of records being broken.
The 2018-19 QNB Stars League was also noted for a number of events, which happened off the field.
Here is a review of the tournament that went by. Al Shahania competed in the 2018-19 QNB Stars League by virtue of being the 2017-18 Second Division champions. They thus returned to the top flight and showed excellent levels in many matches, proving themselves as a strong side.
The new season began early, on August 4, because of the national teams preparations for the 2019 Asian Cup in the UAE and Qatari clubs qualification for the AFC Champions Leagues knockout phase. Al Duhail had reached the quarterfinal and Al Sadd made it to the semifinal. The start of the season was quite exceptional.
The 2018-19 season QNB Stars Leagues first leg that concluded on November 4 witnessed many thrilling contests and exciting results. Al Sadds 10-1 win over Al Arabi in Week 2, with ace Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah scoring seven goals stood out.
Al Duhails 6-0 victory over Al Khor, also in Week 2, and Al Arabis 5-1 win over Umm Salal in Week 4 were the other notable results. The matches between Al Arabi and Al Rayyan always hog the limelight as it is a contest between two teams with the most loyal and traditional fan base in Qatar. This time, Al Rayyan won 1-0 in Week 5.
Al Sadd beat Al Rayyan 5-0 in the Qatar Clasico played in Week 6. Al Khor defeated Al Kharaitiyat 5-1 in Week 9 and Al Gharafa put it across Al Khor by a 6-0 margin.
Among the most notable results in the first leg was the 3-1 victory of Al Sadd over Al Duhail in Week 9. The game was postponed and played at the Al Sadd Stadium on 11th December due to AFC Champions League engagement.
A number of players starred in the first leg, including the likes of Xavi Hernandez, Akram Afif, Bounedjah, Qatar national team captain Hassan Al Haydous (all Al Sadd), Nam Tae-Hee, Yousef El Arabi, Almoez Ali (Al Duhai), Rodrigo Tabata, Mohammed Alaaeldin, Abdulrahman Al Korbi (all Al Rayyan), Mouhcine Moutaouly (Al Ahli), Rashid Tiberkanine, Abdulqadir Ilyas and Abdulkarim Salem (all Al Sailiya). Ahmed Ibrahim excelled for Al Arabi, while Al Khor rode on Wagner Ferreira. Qatar SC signed Samuel Etoo, a former Barcelona player.
Al Ahli featured a number of outstanding players, including Dutchman Nigel de Jong and Iranian Omid Ibrahimi.
As far as Qatari players were concerned, Al Rayyan attracted Khalfan Ibrahim from Al Arabi and Al Sailiya recruited Abdulkadir Ilyas. Left-back Abdelkarim Hassan, who continued to impress with Al Sadd, was adjudged the best player in Asia at the AFC Award Ceremony in Oman.
