Al Markhiya have been relegated as any hopes of survival took a heavy pounding when they lost 2-4 to new QNB Stars League champions Al Duhail in their Week 21 match at the Al Gharafa Stadium on Saturday.

Al Markhiya scored in the 40th and 71st minutes through Mohamed El Neel and Eric Pereira.

Al Duhail’s goals were scored by Youssef Msakni (27th and 85th minutes) and Yousef El Arabi (75th and 80th minutes).

It did not take long for the relegation-threatened club to fall behind via a mistake of their own making just before the half-hour mark. Msakni latched onto a through ball before being clumsily brought down by the goalkeeper for a penalty. Msakni stepped up and dispatched with ease to help The Red Knights take an early lead.

With the half drawing to a close, Al Markhiya got back on level terms, thanks to some incisive attacking play from Saleh Al Yazidi. His slide-rule pass through the centre was the perfect invitation for El Neel to emphatically level the scores.

Midway through the second half, and against the run of play, Al Markhiya took the lead as Pereirra ran towards the opposition box unchallenged before firing an unstoppable rocket into the top corner.

So often the architects of their own downfall, the home side let the lead slip minutes later as El Arabi was able to power through the defence and fire past the goalkeeper.

Minutes later, the champions retook the lead when El Arabi grabbed the rebound following Hazem Shta’s parried shot.

All hopes of a dramatic comeback were dashed when Msakni won his side another penalty having slalomed his way past defenders into the box. As with the opening action of the match, he made no mistake to secure victory for Al Duhail and relegate Al Markhiya.