The top three positions were a foregone conclusion ahead of the last two rounds of the 2017-18 season QNB Stars League, with Al Duhail, Al Sadd and Al Rayyan taking unassailable leads. However, the most important question doing the rounds and what kept fans at the edge of the seats right down to the Week-22 action was ‘who will finish fourth and thereby qualify for the elite Qatar Cup, featuring the top quartet.

Well, Al Gharafa is the answer following their convincing 3-0 victory over Qatar SC and nearest challengers Umm Salal’s 1-1 draw with already-relegated Al Markhiya.

Al Duhail were crowned champions with an unbeaten record, the only team to do so, following their 5-2 victory over Al Sailiya on Saturday. And Al Sadd and Al Rayyan too consolidated their positions with wins. 

Going into the final day on Sunday where four games kicked off simultaneously, Umm Salal needed to beat Al Markhiya and hope Al Gharafa drop points against Qatar SC as they both were on 32 points, with The Cheetahs ahead on goal difference (+6 against -1.

However, when it mattered the most, Al Gharafa came through with flying colours, while The Orange Fortress fumbled and the former finished on 35 points, two points separating them.

In fact, Al Gharafa were widely expected to end up fourth, going by form and circumstances. They actually reaped rewards for making an overhaul in the January transfer window.

Turk Bulent Uygun took over from Frenchman Jean Fernandez, who guided them to the QSL Cup triumph, before the start of second phase.

Al Gharafa also bolstered their ranks by recruiting Dutch attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder, Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi and Assim Madibo.

Suddenly, a team that languished at the seventh place in the QNB Stars League standings with just 11 points and two wins at the end of 11-round first phase made a remarkable turnaround.

Indeed, Al Gharafa were the side that made the most of the changes.

The Qatar Stars League Management supervises, manages and organises the Qatar Cup as part of its mission to develop professional football in Qatar. The tournament’s format now is one-off semifinals and final.  

Al Duhail will play Al Gharafa and Al Sadd will take on Al Rayyan. The semifinals are on 21st and 22nd April, and final on 27th April.