Al Sadd deservedly emerged as the 2020-21 QNB Stars League champions after they exhibited an outstanding level right throughout the season in terms of results and statistics that confirmed their excellence and superiority.

Al Sadd were crowned the new league champions following their 3-0 victory over Umm Salal at the Al Sadd Stadium on Sunday, with four rounds remaining to be played.

The coronation ceremony took place after the match, strictly adhering to the precautionary measures and approved general health protocol implemented in the wake of Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Al Sadd thus remained as the only unbeaten team in the league so far. They became champions with 50 points (16 victories and two draws) after taking an unassailable lead.

Baghdad Bounedjah (34th minute), Yousef Abdulrazaq (51st minute) and Rodrigo Tabata (90+2 minute) scored the goals.

Umm Salal remained on 15 points after their ninth defeat.

In-form Bounedjah made the first attempt in the fourth minute, but his angular strike from on edge of the box was far from Umm Salal goalkeeper Baba Malick.

Captain Hasan Al Haydous fired a shot on target from a distance and Umm Salal were lucky to evade the threat after Malick got control of the ball despite fumbling.

As the clock reached the quarter of an hour, Al Sadd were completely in their traditional attacking style, putting constant pressure on the opposition, hardly giving the ball away. 

They continued to attack mostly from the right wing, with feared striker Akram Afif and Spaniard Santi Cazorla also making dangerous moves. 

Roozbeh Mohammad received a yellow card for a handball as he tried to block Nam Tae-Hee’s chip near the box with referee Abdulhadi Al Ruaile handing Al Sadd a free-kick, but Al Haydous’ strike from the centre went wide.      

Malick made a superb jumping save off Bounedjah’s header who received a long ball from Tae-hee near the penalty spot as Umm Salal continued to defy the pressure at half-hour mark.    

Bounedjah, left unmarked, finally broke the deadlock in another attack from the right with a perfect first-time flick from a close range after receiving a shot pass from midfielder Abdurisag. Malick guarding his left corner had no chance as the ball landed in his right corner. 

The goal brought no respite for Umm Salal defence as Al Sadd looked to double their lead before half-time.

The second half started in a similar fashion with Al Sadd making inroads. Three minutes into the second half, Bounedjah fired a rocket that struck the left goal-post.

Yousef Abdulrazaq gave Al Sadd their second goal three minutes later, pushing the ball over the head of diving Malick from a close range after an assist from captain Al Haydos.    

Umm Salal tested Al Sadd’s defence on the hour mark with a move, but they failed to pose threat on Meshaal Barsham’s goal.

In the 65th minute, Bounedjah got a golden opportunity to score his second goal but his hit from a close range flew over the crossbar. In 72nd minute, Xavi sent fresh legs in veteran Tabata while calling back Afif.

Cazorla was carted off for a treatment after he collided with Roozbeh while racing into opposition’s box. Salem Al Hajri replaced the Spaniard with defender Musab Kheder replacing Pedro Miguel, 11 minutes before time.

The stoppages slowed down the pace of the match, but Al Sadd were still trying to find another goal. They got it in stoppage time after Tabata fired a superb left-footed drive from edge of the box as Al Sadd celebrated the title-winning victory.