- The title race between Al Sadd and Al Duhail intensified, while Umm Salal achieved their first victory and advanced to the sixth position. And Qatar SC got back to winning ways.

- The round also saw Al Arabi continue to win, Al Wakrah stumble, Al Gharafa make a comeback at the expense of Al Rayyan.

The 2021-2022 QNB Stars League Week 9 fixtures, held on 3rd and 4th November, witnessed a total of 18 goals being scored and two of the six matches end in draws. The drawn, high-profile encounter between Al Duhail and Al Sadd underlined the tight competition in the league.

THE RESULTS

Al Ahli drew Al Shamal 0-0

Al Rayyan lost to Al Gharafa    0-2

Al Duhail drew Al Sadd  3-3

Qatar SC bt Al Sailiya    2-1

Al Khor lost to Al Arabi 0-2

Al Wakrah lost to Umm Salal   1-4

The ninth round witnessed Umm Salal’s first win in the league this season, a victory that made the team advance to sixth place on better goal difference than Qatar SC (seventh). Al Rayyan are eighth, while Al Wakrah fell to fifth place on goal difference with Al Gharafa fourth. Al Ahli, Al Sailiya and Al Khor are in the last three positions respectively. Al Ahli and Al Khor still remain as the only teams yet to score a victory this season.

Al Arabi continued their good run by beating Al Khor and are placed third.

Qatar SC recorded their second victory this season by beating Al Sailiya 2-1. It was their first win under Moroccan coach Youssef Safri.

Also, Umm Salal’s first victory came after Qatari coach Wesam Rizik took over from Brazilian Sergio Farias.

The first match saw Al Ahli and Al Shamal play out a goalless draw.

The game between Al Duhail and Al Sadd, the two best teams around, lived up to its billing in all aspects. Al Sadd took the lead, but Al Duhail went 2-1 up before Al Sadd scored two more goals. Kenyan star Michael Olunga then helped Al Duhail equalize in the thriller played in front of a large number of fans from both teams.

Olunga emerged as the top scorer with 12 goals following his two goals against Al Sadd. Al Sadd’s Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah is second with 11 goals, followed by his team-mate Andre Ayew with seven goals. In fourth place is Al Gharafa striker Cheick Diabate with six goals.

The QNB Stars League will have a break now, in view of FIFA Arab Cup from November 30 to December 18, 2021, and also considering the Qatar national team’s engagements.

It will be a good opportunity for clubs to work towards better performances ahead of the league’s resumption.