The 2019-20 QNB Stars League’s Week 13 matches, played on Thursday, 23rd January, Friday, 24th January, and Saturday, 25th January (two matches on each day) witnessed exciting action and interesting results.
A total of 18 goals were scored. There were two high-scoring games (Al Gharafa beating Al Rayyan and Al Sadd defeating Al Shahania by an identical 4-2 margin) and one drawn encounter (Qatar SC vs Al Wakrah).
Al Gharafa’s new recruit Jonathan Kodjia stood out the most with a hat-trick on his debut in Qatar, against Al Rayyan.
All positions, except two, remained unchanged in the standings. Al Ahli moved from ninth to eighth spot after their 1-0 victory over Al Sailiya, with Abel Mathias netting the all-important goal.
Qatar SC were down from eighth to ninth.
Al Duhail, who beat Al Arabi 3-1, extended their lead on top from two points to five after second-placed Al Rayyan lost 2-4 to Al Gharafa.
Almoez Ali (double) and Paulo Edmilson scored for Al Duhail, while Hamdi Harbaoui converted a penalty for Al Arabi.
Other than Kodjia’s goals, which included one from the penalty spot, Sofiane Hanni scored for Al Gharafa, also through a penalty kick.
Debutant Yohan Boli and Sebastian Soria were Al Rayyan’s scorers.
Reigning champions Al Sadd stayed on course following their victory over Al Shahania. They are now six points behind Al Duhail and one point behind Al Rayyan.
Hassan Al Haydous, Akram Afif (penalty) and Baghdad Bounedjah (penalty) were the scorers of Al Sadd, who were also helped by an own goal by Al Shahania’s Saleh Al Yahri.
Ahmed Akaichi scored a double for Al Shahania.
Bottom-placed Umm Salal got a consolation as they beat Al Khor 1-0. Mahmoud Al Mawas was the scorer.
Standings after Week 13
- Al Duhail (33 points)
- Al Rayyan (28 points)
- Al Sadd (27 points)
- Al Gharafa (23 points)
- Al Arabi (18 points)
- Al Sailiya 17 points)
- Al Wakrah (16 points)
- Al Ahli (16 points)
- Qatar SC (15 points)
- Al Khor (9 points)
- Al Shahania (8 points)
- Umm Salal (8 points)