Al Rayyan defeated Al Wakrah 2-0 in the final round (Week 22) of 2019-20 season QNB Stars League at the Al Sadd Stadium on Friday.

But that was not enough for The Lions to win the league shield as Al Duhail emerged as champions by beating Al Ahli 1-0 in the simultaneous kick-off at the Al Janoub Stadium.

Al Rayyan, with their 15th victory, ended up with 51 points, one less than Al Duhail.

Just one point separated Al Duhail and Al Rayyan ahead of the final round. Al Rayyan would have clinched the title had they beaten Al Wakrah and Al Duhail either drawn with or lost to Al Ahli.

Yacine Brahimi (59th minute) and Gabriel Mercado (71st minute) scored Al Rayyan’s goals.

Al Wakrah’s Omar Ali (twice) and Khalid Muneer had a couple of chances in the first half, but could not take advantage of them.

Al Rayyan’s only worthwhile opportunity during the session was when Brahimi failed to connect Hamed Ismail’s cross from the right after the move originated from Sebastian Soria.

Al Rayyan upped the ante in the second session and Brahimi’s goal was the result of his sheer brilliance. The Algerian attacking midfielder collected the ball from near the centre circle and dodged past a wave of defenders before shooting at the goal and the ball got deflected in off the leg of Al Wakrah defender Lucas Mendes.

Mercado made it 2-0 by firing in a quick header off a corner kick taken by Abdulaziz Hatem, who sent a shot wide of the target in the 85th minute.

Al Rayyan had beaten Al Wakrah 1-0 in the first leg of 2019-20 QNB Stars League.