Qatar SC can take pride in the fact that they succeeded in staying in the top flight after much struggle, especially in the first phase, in the QNB Stars League.

Qatar SC had secured their position in next season’s First Division ahead of their Week 21 match against Al Kharaitiyat, so the 2-3 loss in that game and 0-3 defeat to Al Gharafa in Week 22 did not actually affect them.

Qatar SC’s achievement was commendable, for they were back in the top flight after spending a season in the Second Division. After defeating Al Shahania in play-off and thus qualifying for the QNB Stars League, The Kings found it hard initially under Argentinian coach Gabriel Calderon despite the great efforts taken by the club management to support the team with professional and local players.

The side did not have stability in terms of performance and a spate of negative results followed. Defeats came one after the other and the team management, headed by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Nasser Al Thani, decided enough was enough. Calderon was replaced with Qatari coach Abdullah Mubarak, who had helped them return to the top flight.

Also, the management continued to support the squad with some new players in the winter transfer window, especially after witnessing big improvement under Abdullah.

They replaced three professional players and in came Syrian striker Osama Omari, Brazilian forward Patrick Fabiano and Chilean midfielder Luis Jimenez in place of Mohamed Tayebi, Habib Habibou and Michael Babatunde.

It may be recalled that Babatunde had helped Qatar SC earn promotion.

They only retained the services of Brazilian midfielder Bruno Gallo and Qatari players such as Omar Al Emadi, Ali Jassemi, Rajab Hamza, Fahad Khalfan, Abdel Rahman Abkar and Jassem Al Hail.

The players who joined the team in January presented good performances and contributed towards their positive results.

Qatar SC finished 10th with 22 points, from six wins, four draws and 12 defeats. They scored 24 goals while conceding 46.

Coach

Abdullah Mubarak is an experienced Qatari coach with a good track record with a number of clubs. He has also coached erstwhile Lekhwiya, Al Ahli and Al Sailiya.

He took over the reins of Qatar SC from Argentinian Gabriel Calderon in November, 2017. He was instrumental in The Kings earning promotion to the QNB Stars League in the 2017-18 season. Abdullah played as a defender for Al Ahli for long.

Top scorers

1. Osama Omari          7
2. Bruno Gallo  4
3. Michael Babatunde           3

QNB Stars League first phase

QNB Stars League second phase