The 22nd and final week of QNB Stars League witnessed plenty of action and excitement, befitting the conclusion of a gruelling competition. QSL Online highlights a star performer from each of the six matches.

Akram Afif (Al Sadd)

Akram Afif underlined his great potential by scoring a hat-trick in their 9-1 victory against Al Kharaitiyat. Akram, younger brother of Al Duhail forward Ali Afif, joined Al Sadd in the January transfer window from top Spanish club Villarreal on loan till the end of the season. He is a key player for the Qatar national team as well.

Ismail Mohammed (Al Duhail)

Ismail Mohammed played a major role in new QNB Stars League champions Al Duhail’s 5-2 victory against Al Sailiya. The forward, who has been in good form of late, initiated the team’s attacks in the absence of injured ace players Youssef El Arabi and Youssef Msakni. Ismail gave the assist for the first goal scored by Almoez Ali and then netted their second and third goals.

Rodrigo Tabata (Al Rayyan)

Al Rayyan captain Rodrigo Tabata scored two goals and provided the assist for the one scored by Gonzalo Vieira as they beat Al Ahli 4-1 to consolidate their third position in the QNB Stars League standings with 43 points. The Lions thus made up for the 0-2 defeat they suffered at the hands of Al Ahli in the first phase.

Ariel Thierry (Al Khor)

Cameroonian striker Ariel Thierry netted both goals as Al Khor finished off their campaign on a winning note, getting the better of Al Arabi by a 2-1 margin. The victory helped Al Khor jump two places to eighth in the table with 24 points. It was the seventh win for The Knights, coached by Tunisian Nassif Al Bayawi.

Bilal Mohammed (Al Markhiya)

Umm Salal were expected to defeat already-relegated side Al Markhiya and displace Al Gharafa from the fourth position had the latter dropped points in the final round. However, The Oryxes upset their plans by holding them 1-1 as hugely-experienced defender Bilal Mohammed’s header late into the game cancelled out a second-minute goal.

Mehdi Taremi (Al Gharafa)

Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi’s two goals played a significant role in Al Gharafa staying in the fourth position with an easy 3-0 victory over Qatar SC. The Cheetahs thus earned the right to play in the Qatar Cup. Taremi, who came on as a substitute at the beginning of second half, scored his goals after Wesley Sneijder put them ahead with a measured free-kick.