Round 24 of the QSL saw teams relegated, sides pulling away from trouble and the title race heading into a dramatic finale with two rounds left to play. In our regular feature talking points, QSL online breaks down the moments that matter from the latest round of action.

Title race going down to the wire

The 2016/2017 QSL championship race is set to go to the last two rounds of the season, with the two title challengers posting impressive wins against their top four rivals. League leaders Lekhwiya proved too strong for a lackluster El Jaish side, as the Red Knights ran out 5-1 winners. Whilst Al Sadd picked up a comfortable 4-1 Qatar Clasico win over rivals Al Rayyan, who were reduced to ten men midway through the first half.

Lekhwiya & Sadd will now be hoping their rivals can slip up in round 25 with both sides taking on mid-table opposition at home on Thursday evening. Lekhwiya will take on Al Ahli, whilst Al Sadd will take on Al Sailiya.



Heartbreak for Wakrah and Muaither

Al Wakrah and Muaither confirmed their relegation to the second division on Saturday evening. Al Wakrah had been put at the foot of the QSL table for a number of weeks now, and sealed their fate with a 2-0 loss to relegation rivals Al Khor. Whilst for Muaither, they managed a battling 1-1 draw with Al Sailiya. However it wasn’t enough for Phillipe Birols men to avoid the drop with teams above them in the league registering important wins.



Big wins for Shahania, Khor and Al Kharaitiyat

Three sides towards the foot of the table registered impressive victories to keep their survial hopes alive for the next round. Al Shahania picked up their first victory in eighteen QSL games, comprehensively defeating Al Arabi 4-1. The Oryxes looked the better side throughout the match and came back from a goal down to post a much needed win.

Elsewhere and Al Khor picked up three points and relegated Al Wakrah thanks to a 2-0 win. Goals in either half from strikers Madson and Mouhcine Iajour ensure that the Knights continue their bid to beat the drop. Al Shahania will take on Al Khor in round 25 in what will be a straight shoot-out for QSL survival.

Finally Al Kharaitiyat pushed up into seventh place in the QSL standings picking up their fourth win in five games with a 2-0 win over Al Ahli. January signing Rachid Tiberkanine slotted in the opener with five minutes left to play in the first half, whilst five minutes into the second half Saud Nassr tapped in from close range to all but assure survival for the Blue Waves.