Unstable season for the Brigadeers

Tenth placed Al Ahli is next side under the spotlight as we look at the progress of the teams in the QSL during the international break. The Brigadiers started the campaign with Croatian coach Luka Bonačić who enjoyed a solid start with the side, including an eye catching 4-2 win over Al Gharafa in the opening day of the season.

Fast forward four games later and Bonačić was dismissed from his post after losing only his second game with a 3-1 defeat to Al Khor. Ahli turned to experienced Qatari coach Yusef Adam to lead the side.

It certainly took time for Adam to register his first win with the side, notching a narrow 2-1 win over Muaither in in the middle of December. However draws against the like of Al Sailiya, Umm Salal and Al Shahania saw his side just outside of the relegation zone.

Come January, and Al Ahli brought in a host of professional players to boost their flagging season. The likes of Yassine Chikhaoui, Cristian Maidana and a returning Mojtaba Jabbari all hired to push the Brigadeers up the league standings.

However it wasn’t the professional players who proved to be the catalyst in Ahli’s turn around. Ali Ferydoon was picked up on loan from Al Shamal, and the local striker has come up with some crucial goals for his new team. His strong performances were central to a run of three straight wins in January, which pulled Ahli out of trouble.

Al Ahli ended their season on a poor run of form, which saw them loose all three of their final games. Thankfully their early easy form ensured that the Brigadeers ended the season five points away from the drop zone. With the season now over, Yusef Adam promptly resigned from his post. The Brigadeers management wasted little time in signing Spanish coach Joaquín Caparrós to a one year contract. They will be hoping that the veteran coach can work his magic with Al Ahli during the 2017/2018 QSL season.