Umm Salal fought off Al Markhiya 2-1 in a feisty Play-Off contest at the Al Bayt Stadium on Monday, April 28, 2025, to secure their stay in the Qatar Stars League.

The winner for Umm Salal came early in extra time after both sides were deadlocked 1-1 at full time.

Antonio Mance (22nd minute) and Khaled Abdulraouf (90+4 minute) got the goals for Umm Salal, while Al Markhiya scored in the 57th minute (Marouane Louadni - Own Goal).

While The Orange Fortress celebrated their win and qualification to the next season’s Qatar Stars League, Al Markhiya were left to ensure a painful demotion to the Second Division.

Umm Salal went into the lead through Mance’s fine long header after he had leapt high to catch a lob from the left.

A fighting Al Markhiya came back steamrolling as Ruben Semedo connected a Jayson Papeau free-kick (from 10 yards outside the box on the right) for a superb header which found Louadni’s chest on way into the goal.

Both sides kept attacking and had many close chances. Towards the end of full time, a Semedo kick inside the danger area was cleared by Abdulraouf.

Umm Salal then seized their chance early in the first half of extra time as Semedo headed away a corner kick but the ball went to a waiting Abdulraouf, who from ten yards outside the box fired in a rasping long-ranger which slotted into the far top corner of the net.

Umm Salal finished 11th in the Ooredoo Stars League 2024-25 season with 21 points.