Al Rayyan enjoyed a spectacular return to the QSL this season, sweeping all before them to claim their first QSL title in twenty one years.
In the summer the club management went about in preparing the side for the QSL bringing about a host of top names to the club. Former Al Sadd manager Jorge Fossati was recruited along with Espanyol striker Sergio Garcia and Lekhwiya striker Sebastian Soria. The trio where set to have a huge impact on the fortunes of Al Rayyan.
The Lions started the season with a bang, and a 4-0 opening day victory over Sailiya set down a marker for the rest of the season. A record breaking ten straight wins followed as Rayyan lead the way from the very beginning. Even when faced with tough matches Rayyan batted away the sides with comparative ease.
This was underlined in the 9-0 hammering of relegation threatened Qatar SC, the highest winning margin of any side this term. A comprehensive 5-2 derby win over Al Arabi along with a 3-1 over soon to be former QSL champions Lekhwiya didn’t even break Rayyans stride.
In fact they capped of a fine first half of the season performance with a last minute 2-1 win over closest rivals El Jaish thanks to a last gasp winner from Captain Rodrigo Tabata. At this rate it seemed that no one would be unable to defeat Al Rayyan.
However Al Rayyan did succumb to their first defeat of the season in December losing to Al Sadd 2-1 in a keenly fought Qatari Clasico. However the defeat certainly didn’t rock the confidence of Jorge Fossati’s side who registered nine back to back victories culminating in lifting the falcon shield with five games to spare.
No other player represented the new resurgent Al Rayyan like Captain Rodrigo Tabata. The Qatari International enjoyed the season of his life with the Lions, scoring 21 goals for his side and picking up the Mansor Muftah and player of the year prizes at the recent QFA awards. A host of crucial goals aided Rayyan in their title tilt, including crucial late winners against Al Khor and Meisameer in the title run in.
In the league Rayyan looked inspired, registering comfortable wins almost at will. Sergio Garcia and Sebastian Soria providing the goals and Víctor Cáceres and Omar Bari keeping opposition goals at bay in defense and goal respectively.
Routine 2-0 wins against Umm Salal and Al Arabi highlight the ease in which Al Rayyan was about to win the title. The match of real significance was the 5-0 humbling of former champions Lekhwiya in late Febuary. It seemed to mark a significant changing of the guard, with the champions elect defeating the former champs in emphatic style.
Al Rayyan only needed one more win to claim their first QSL championship in twenty one years. An expectant crowd headed to Al Sadd stadium, to await the match against Al Wakrah. Unsurprisingly Al Rayyan blew Wakrah away 5-0 and the party truly began for the squad and the thousands of fans in attendance.
With over a twenty point lead at the top of the table, Al Rayyan dropped off significantly in the league. With coach Jorge Fossati preparing the squad for the domestic trophies ahead. Youth players where favored in the final games, and Rayyan finished the league campaign with whimper not registering a single win from the final five games.
In the domestic competitions, their league form affected the side. With Rayyan bowing out at the Semifinals of the Qatar cup to Lekhwiya losing 3-1. Whilst getting knocked out of the Emir cup at the same stage, but this time to bitter rivals Al Sadd 3-2.
Despite the disappointing end of the season, and domestic cup competitions Al Rayyan have plenty to shout about in what was a stunning return to the QSL.
The club management got everything right from the head coach to player additions. Head coach Jorge Fossati has signed a new three year deal with the club, which means that Rayyan fans can be very confident of success next term under the Uruguayan tactician.
In the summer the club management went about in preparing the side for the QSL bringing about a host of top names to the club. Former Al Sadd manager Jorge Fossati was recruited along with Espanyol striker Sergio Garcia and Lekhwiya striker Sebastian Soria. The trio where set to have a huge impact on the fortunes of Al Rayyan.
The Lions started the season with a bang, and a 4-0 opening day victory over Sailiya set down a marker for the rest of the season. A record breaking ten straight wins followed as Rayyan lead the way from the very beginning. Even when faced with tough matches Rayyan batted away the sides with comparative ease.
This was underlined in the 9-0 hammering of relegation threatened Qatar SC, the highest winning margin of any side this term. A comprehensive 5-2 derby win over Al Arabi along with a 3-1 over soon to be former QSL champions Lekhwiya didn’t even break Rayyans stride.
In fact they capped of a fine first half of the season performance with a last minute 2-1 win over closest rivals El Jaish thanks to a last gasp winner from Captain Rodrigo Tabata. At this rate it seemed that no one would be unable to defeat Al Rayyan.
However Al Rayyan did succumb to their first defeat of the season in December losing to Al Sadd 2-1 in a keenly fought Qatari Clasico. However the defeat certainly didn’t rock the confidence of Jorge Fossati’s side who registered nine back to back victories culminating in lifting the falcon shield with five games to spare.
No other player represented the new resurgent Al Rayyan like Captain Rodrigo Tabata. The Qatari International enjoyed the season of his life with the Lions, scoring 21 goals for his side and picking up the Mansor Muftah and player of the year prizes at the recent QFA awards. A host of crucial goals aided Rayyan in their title tilt, including crucial late winners against Al Khor and Meisameer in the title run in.
In the league Rayyan looked inspired, registering comfortable wins almost at will. Sergio Garcia and Sebastian Soria providing the goals and Víctor Cáceres and Omar Bari keeping opposition goals at bay in defense and goal respectively.
Routine 2-0 wins against Umm Salal and Al Arabi highlight the ease in which Al Rayyan was about to win the title. The match of real significance was the 5-0 humbling of former champions Lekhwiya in late Febuary. It seemed to mark a significant changing of the guard, with the champions elect defeating the former champs in emphatic style.
Al Rayyan only needed one more win to claim their first QSL championship in twenty one years. An expectant crowd headed to Al Sadd stadium, to await the match against Al Wakrah. Unsurprisingly Al Rayyan blew Wakrah away 5-0 and the party truly began for the squad and the thousands of fans in attendance.
With over a twenty point lead at the top of the table, Al Rayyan dropped off significantly in the league. With coach Jorge Fossati preparing the squad for the domestic trophies ahead. Youth players where favored in the final games, and Rayyan finished the league campaign with whimper not registering a single win from the final five games.
In the domestic competitions, their league form affected the side. With Rayyan bowing out at the Semifinals of the Qatar cup to Lekhwiya losing 3-1. Whilst getting knocked out of the Emir cup at the same stage, but this time to bitter rivals Al Sadd 3-2.
Despite the disappointing end of the season, and domestic cup competitions Al Rayyan have plenty to shout about in what was a stunning return to the QSL.
The club management got everything right from the head coach to player additions. Head coach Jorge Fossati has signed a new three year deal with the club, which means that Rayyan fans can be very confident of success next term under the Uruguayan tactician.
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