Doha: Al Sailiya yesterday defeated Al Kharaitiyat 3-2 in the relegation play-off match at the Al Gharafa Stadium as they managed to extend their stay at the QNB Stars League (QSL).
The play-off pitted the 11th-placed team in the QSL against runners-up in the Second Division - Al Kharaitiyat – for a place in next season’s premier tournament.
The victory means Al Sailiya will continue in the top flight while Al Kharaitiyat will be in the Second Division in the forthcoming season.
Al Sailiya bounced back from a two-goal deficit as they fought their way into the game and beat Al Kharaitiyat with three second-half goals.
Al Sailiya’s goals were scored by Majdi Siddique (61st minute), Ddriss Fettouhi (77th minute) and Carlos Strandberg (90+5 minutes).
Rachid Tiberkanine (14th minute) and Mekki Tombari (51st minute) scored for Al Kharaitiyat.
It may be noted that 12th-placed team in QSL, Al Khor got relegated straightaway, while Second Division champions Al Markhiya earned direct promotion to the First Division.
