Passing is crucial in setting the tempo of a game, and helping side’s dictacte their style of play on their opponents. As part of our continued look back at the 2016/2017 QSL campaign, we have decided to profile the top ten players in the league in terms of average amount of passes per game.  All of our statistics have been provided by STATS the official data supplier to the QSL.

Lekhwiya swept to their fifth ever QSL title this season, and central to that was the way that they kept the ball away from their opponents. It’s no surprise perhaps that central midfielder Luis Martin leads the way with the most passes on over the course of the season. The Qatari international notched up 76.9 passes on average in each game giving him the deserved title of the league’s best passer.

Not far behind Lekhwiya’s feisty midfielder is Al Sadd captain Xavi. The former Spanish international would have been many people’s first choice as the best passer in the league; however he falls just short with 75.4 passes per game. Despite missing out on the top passer accolade, the midfield maestro did help his side to a domestic double in the Qatar & Emir Cup competitions.

Qatar international midfielder Karim Boudiaf is in third place in the top passers run down. The Lekhwiya player, who is the second of four Red Knights players in the top 10 was ever present for his side this season, and his impressive passing average of 73.4 underlines yet another solid season in a Lekhwiya shirt.

Al Rayyan may have not picked up any domestic honors this term but their South Korean midfielder Koh Myong-jin did standout in terms of passing. Koh notched up an average of 63.0 passes per game, helping Michael Laudrup’s side implement their possession style of football.

Another Qatari international takes up fifth place in the 2016/2017 top league passers list. This time it’s Ahmed Maqsoud who represented Al Arabi and Al Ahli over the course of the season. Maqsoud is known for his all action style in midfield, often dictating play with his accurate passing and movement. It’s not a shock then that Madsoud knocked up 62.9 passes on average for the sides he represented over the campaign.

Al Arabi midfielder Ahmed Fathi came in at sixth place in the passers list with an eye catching 54.9 passes per game over the course of the season. The Dream Team may have disappointed last season on the pitch, however the local players passing was one of the highlights for the side. Not far behind in Al Rayyan captain Rodrigo Tabata who enjoyed yet another strong season leading the Lions. The Qatar international registered 52.1 passes per game over the 2016/2017 campaign.

Al Gharafa’s South Korean midfielder Kooky Han is just behind Tabata with the same 52.1 pass average. Han is widely known to be one of the best midfielders in the QSL, and his passing statistics again highlight his importance for the Cheetahs this term.

The top ten list is rounded off with two Lekhwiya players. First up is the reigning QFA player of the year, Nam Tae Hee. The South Korean enjoyed his best ever season for the Red Knights, playing a significant role in Djamel Belmadi’s side lifting the QSL falcon shield, an average of 51.1 passes gets him on the list. Whilst Lekhwiya left-back Khalid Muftah completes the top ten with 48.3 average passes per game for his side.