The QNB Stars League’s Week 17 too was not devoid of stellar displays. There were two high-scoring games and Al Sadd’s Hassan Al Haydous struck the only hat-trick. QSL Online highlights one performance from each game.

Hassan Al Haydous (Al Sadd)

Qatar international striker Hassan Al Haydous was the greatest star in Week 17 of the QNB Stars League as he netted a hat-trick in Al Sadd’s 5-1 win over Al Arabi in the Qatar Derby. He ran riot and hit twice, in the seventh and ninth minutes, even before the rivals had settled down. Al Haydous completed his hat-trick by converting from the penalty spot in the 79th to take his QNB Stars League tally this season to 11 goals.

Nadir Belhadj (Al Sailiya)

Nadir Belhadj played a crucial role as Al Sailiya held formidable Al Rayyan 2-2. Although Belhadj did not score a goal, he had an outstanding game in the midfield as The Peregrines could put behind their disappointment of an upset loss to Qatar SC in the previous round. The draw was a welcome relief for Al Sailiya as they eye a top-four finish, with Umm Salal and Al Gharafa breathing down their neck.

Mehdi Taremi (Al Gharafa)

Mehdi Taremi struck right at the death off a pass from Muad Hassan as Al Gharafa defeated Al Kharaitiyat 2-0 to earn three crucial points and stay sixth in the QNB Stars League table with 23 points. It was The Cheetahs’ sixth victory. Al Gharafa were ahead through Othman Al Yahri’s early goal, but what made Mehdi’s strike special was that it came at a time when the rivals were trying hard for an equaliser.

Luis Martin (Al Duhail)

Luis Martin came back from one-match injury layoff and opened the scoring act for Al Duhail as they defeated Umm Salal 5-0. Captain Youssef Msakny and Nam Tae-Hee, both two goals each, were The Red Knights’ other scorers. Luis Martin, who had suffered a leg muscle rupture during their 4-0 win over Al Ahli in Week 15, is technically sound and a key player in Algerian coach Djamel Belmadi’s scheme of things.

Jassim Al Hail (Qatar SC)

Syrian striker Osama Omari scored the winning goal for Qatar SC against Al Ahli, but it was goalkeeper Jassim Al Hail who was The Kings’ real hero as he produced many a save and kept his citadel in tact. He even saved a penalty kick taken by Al Ahli’s experienced striker Meshaal Abdullah and his team stayed eighth with 18 points. Al Hail has been in outstanding form of late.

Mohammed Salah El Neel (Al Markhiya)

Mohammed Salah El Neel’s goal helped basement side Al Markhiya hold ninth-placed Al Khor to a 1-1 draw. The striker scored as early as the sixth minute off a cross from the left by captain Anas Mubarak and that gave The Oryxes confidence as they waged a determined battle against Al Khor. The valuable point will help them in their fight to stay in the top flight after getting promoted from the Second Division. Al Markhiya have nine points now.