Al Sadd players celebrate after Boualem Khoukhi scored their first goal.
Doha: Champions Al Sadd completed yet another dominant QNB Stars League (QSL) season by extending their unbeaten run to 49 matches by defeating Al Wakrah 2-1 at the Qatar SC Stadium, yesterday.
Al Sadd’s goals were scored by Boualem Khoukhi (19) and Rodrigo Tabata (79-penalty) while Al Wakrah pulled one through Saleh Saeed Hilabi in the 50th minute.
The victory also meant Al Sadd’s signed off from the QSL season with 62 points, two better than previous year in which they finished unbeaten with 60 points. They are also the only unbeaten team in both 2021 and 2022 seasons.
This season, Al Sadd won 20 out 22 of the matches they played, drawing the other two this season.
The losing side yesterday, Al Wakrah who also displayed a strong show throughout the season, finished in third place with 37 points.
In yesterday’s Round 22 clash, the Javi Gracia-coached Wolves were ahead of their opponents in the first half in terms of ball control and possession.
Khoukhi’s opener came off a corner kick by Akram Afif.
Both teams intensified their attacks at the beginning of second half and each they had their chances.
Eventually, Al Wakrah succeeded when Saleh Saeed helped his team level the scores before long with a shot from outside the penalty area while the ball deflected off the foot of defender Pedro Miguel on its way into the Al Sadd net.
Al Sadd were awarded a penalty kick after Pedro was fouled by Al Wakrah goalkeeper Amir Abdullah and Tabata converted it as Al Sadd secured the lead again in the 79th minute.
A delighted Gracia congratulated the players after the final League game.
“I congratulate all the players in the team for this victory. We achieved something very special, and we managed to finish the league championship without any loss and with a new record,” Gracia said after the win.
The Spanish coach said yesterday’s win was important as they are preparing for the upcoming Amir Cup semi-final match.
“It was not easy at all. Everyone knows that we will play an important match in two days and we will work on the recovery of the players to be ready for the next match,” Gracia said as the team gears up for Monday’s Amir Cup last-four clash against Al Duhail.
Earlier, at the same venue, Al Rayyan beat Al Shamal 3-2 to jump to finish their QSL 2022 campaign in the eighth position with 24 points.
Hashem Ali (14), Yacine Brahimi (26) and Yohan Boli (75) scored the goals for Al Rayyan. Ali Alwan scored in the 43rd minute for Al Shamal, who were helped by an own goal by Al Rayyan’s Mohammed Juma in the 63rd minute.
Al Shamal finished 10th with 22 points.
