Adam Revives Ahli’s ailing campaign.

Al Ahli went into the 2015/2016 QSL season with unproven strikers following top scorer Alain Dioko moved to Al Gharafa. Young Congolese striker Firmin Mubele was recruited to replace the goals of the two time top scorer in the QSL.

Zlatko Kranjčar’s side started the season positively, grabbing a 1-1 draw with El Jaish and a 2-1 over Al Wakrah. The Brigadiers began to lose their way, only registering their next victory a month later in the comprehensive 3-0 defeat of Qatar SC. However they began to stagnate and only registered one win in the next nine matches.

The run included three back to back to title chasing sides in Lekhwiya (4-0) El Jaish (1-0) and Al Rayyan (3-1). The run was simply not good for Ahli management and head coach Zlatko Kranjčar promptly received their marching orders in late December.

Ahli turned to former Qatari international Yusef Adam to take charge of the side.  Whilst the club also made a significant signing in the January transfer window swapping newly signed Danielo Carrando for Mouchine Iajour which proved to be a masterstroke by the Ahli management.

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Veteran midfielder Meshal Abdullah has been a mainstay in the side, and the Qatari international has notched a record eighteen goals this term. Indeed Abdullah did strike his 100^th QSL goal in the derby win against Al Arabi. His efforts this term have also given him a nomination for the player of the year at the QFA awards.

In the remaining ten games of the season, Adam was charged with ensuring that Ahli beat the drop to the Qatar Gas League. However the Qatari tactician masterminded a fine winning run for his side.  

Ahli only lost twice and a five game winning streak pushed them from relegation contenders to a comfortable sixth placed finish. Fine victories over the likes of Al Rayyan (3-2) and a thrilling 5-4 win over Lekhwiya highlighted Adam’s tactical nous and drastically improved the fortunes of a struggling Ahli side.  




It was very much a season of two halves for Ahli this term. Thankfully for the brigadiers the inspired appointment of Yusef Adam turned an ailing season into a impressive sixth place finish in the QSL, which will give Qatar’s oldest club plenty of hope going into the 2016/2017 season.