Oryxes made to rue draws during the season
 
With the QSL season coming to an end QSL online has decided to asses each team’s performance in the league. Today, we focus on Al Shahania, who were relegated to the Qatar Gas league in 12^th place in the QSL standings, following a heart-breaking 1-0 defeat to Qatar SC

In truth, many people would not have given Al Shahania much of a chance of beating the drop, seeing that traditionally most newly promoted sides often end up back in the Qatar Gas League after one season in the top flight. However despite this Shahania have proved to be a real challenge for many of the sides in the QSL, and only missed out by survival by losing a relegation playoff.

Al Shahania made a solid start to life in the QSL, putting together an impressive four game unbeaten streak, which saw then head Coach Jose Fernando pick up the coveted coach of the month award. Whilst defeats to the top sides in the league followed, Al Shahania had a knack of drawing with the sides around them giving the promoted side a chance of beating relegation.

That all came crashing down just before the new year when Al Shahania suffered a humiliating 10-0 defeat to Lekhwiya, Fernando was promptly relieved of his duties and replaced with former Croatian national team coach Igor Štimac.

Under the new coach Shahania stabilized again, picking up crucial points against their opponents. However with 11 draws, it’s hard not to think that just one victory could of seen Shahania pull away from trouble all together.  Despite this, a 2-2 draw at the end of the season against champions Lekhwiya ensured a relegation play-off against Qatar SC. However during the relegation play-off the Oryxes were just edged out by the Kings who returned to the QSL at the first time of asking with a 1-0 victory.

Head coach Igor Štimac had been eager to praise the efforts of his players in training and during games. The Croatian coach will be hoping that his side can repeat their winning ways that could return them to the QSL at the first time of asking.