The 2022-2023 QNB Stars League’s Week 6, held on 6th and 7th September, 2022, saw as many as 23 goals being scored (the highest so far in a week this season) and two of the six matches ended in a draws.

Al Arabi maintained their lead and raised their score to 15 points, while Al Duhail climbed to the second position with 13 points.

The matches between Al Gharafa and Umm Salal, and Al Ahli and Al Wakrah ended in 2-2 draws.

Two big teams suffered defeats when Al Rayyan lost to Al Markhiya and reigning champions Al Sadd lost to Al Shamal.

Al Arabi were back on the winning path, whereas Al Wakrah slipped one position to third.

THE RESULTS

Al Sadd lost to Al Shamal      1-2

Al Sailiya lost to Al Arabi       1-5

Al Gharafa drew Umm Salal  2-2

Al Rayyan lost to Al Markhiya        1-2

Al Duhail bt Qatar SC  3-0

Al Ahli drew Al Wakrah        2-2

The first match saw Al Shamal score a 2-1 victory over Al Sadd.

Al Sadd advanced as early as the seventh minute through Andre Ayew, but Al Shamal struck back through Amjad Atwan (20th minute penalty) and Ali Alwan (34th minute) to script a famous win.

Al Shamal raised their score to nine points (sixth place), while Al Sadd remained on seven points and are placed eighth.

In the second match, Al Arabi presented one of their best displays this season and a number of their players shone, most notably Omar Al Somah (two goals), Yousef Msakni (two goals) and Abdulaziz Al Ansari (one goal).

On the other hand, Al Sailiya suffered their fifth loss this season and are in 11th place with three points.

Al Arabi's high-profile signing Rafinha Alcantara came on as a substitute in the second half to make his QNB Stars League debut.

The third match saw Al Gharafa and Umm Salal play out a 2-2 draw.

Jonathan Kodjia scored Umm Salal’s goals (26th minute penalty and 79th minute penalty), while Ahmed Al Janehi (45+2) and Yacine Brahimi (66th minute) scored Al Gharafa’s goals.

Al Gharafa raised their tally to nine points (fourth place) and Umm Salal to six points (10th spot).

The fourth game witnessed Al Rayyan suffer their fifth loss as they went down 1-2 to Al Markhiya.

Ayman Hussein (10th minute) and substitute Ali Saeed Al Mohannadi (83rd minute) scored for Al Markhiya, while captain Dame Traore (45+2) scored Al Rayyan’s goal.

Al Markhiya moved on to eight points and are in seventh position with their second victory. Al Rayyan remained at the bottom of the table with one point.

Al Duhail then rode on Kenyan striker Michael Olunga’s hat-trick (fourth minute, 42nd minute penalty and 66th minute) to beat Qatar SC 3-0. The had an opportunity to reduce the margin through a penalty kick, but Bashar Rasan’s shot was blocked by the goalkeeper.

Qatar SC remained on seven points and are in ninth place.

The last match, between Al Ahli and Al Wakrah, was full of excitement.

Al Ahli were cruising towards victory through goals from Yazan Al Naimat (18th minute) and Ali Qaderi (60th minute), but Al Wakrah struck back through Mohamed Benyettou (81st minute) and Omid Ebrahimi (89th minute).

Al Ahli (fifth place) and Al Wakrah (third spot) now have nine and 12 points respectively.

In terms of scorers, Al Wakrah forward Jacinto Dala continued to top the list with six goals. In second place are two players – Yousef Msakni of Al Arabi and Michael Olunga of Al Duhail (both five goals).

The QNB Stars League’s Week 7 matches will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday, as follows:

Tuesday, 13th September, 2022

Al Duhail vs Al Sailiya

Al Gharafa vs Al Markhiya

Umm Salal vs Al Arabi

Wednesday, 14th September, 2022

Al Shamal vs Al Ahli

Al Wakrah vs Al Sadd

Qatar SC vs Al Rayyan