With the QSL heading into its eighth round of action five key players made an impact for their side when it mattered. In our weekly feature QSL online highlights the five players who stood out this weekend.

Al Shahania came from two goals behind to register a 2-2 draw with bottom of the table Al Wakrah on Thursday evening. One player who was a constant threat for Shahania was striker Mohamed Tiaïba, who led the line well for the promoted side.

Tiaïba’s work rate was rewarded in the final ten minutes of the game, when he found himself in the right position to slot away the equalizer for his team.  It was the Algerian striker’s fifth goal in eight games, and confirmed his status as the sides leading scorer in the league. Tiaïba will be hoping he can find the net again when his side take on Al Kharaitiyat in round nine.

Al Gharafa maintained their winning streak at the weekend, defeating Al Khor 2-1 on Thursday evening. Pedro Caixinia has young keeper Yusef Hassan to thank who produced a stunning last minute save to ensure the Cheetahs came away from Al Khor with all three points.

With the tie deep into stoppage time, Al Khor whipped a ball into the box which fell to the feet of attacker Mouhcine Iajour. The Moroccan international unleashed a fierce volley towards the goal, but fortunately for Al Gharafa Hassan pulled of a sharp reflex save to deny the equalizer. Hassan has really stepped up for his side in recent weeks, and will be targeting a vital clean sheet in round nine when Al Gharafa take on Al Rayyan.

Al Sailiya’s Cameroonian striker Paul Efoulou grabbed a vital brace for his side as Sailiya came from behind to draw with Al Ahli 3-3.  Efoulou opened up his sides scoring from the penalty spot in the first half, whilst the former Al-Taawon attacker saved the best for last with a fierce drive on the 83^rd minute to rescue the points for the Peregrines.

Sailiya now have four points from their last two games, and seemed to have come back to form. Efoulou will be hoping he can be amongst the goals again when Sailiya take on title chasing Lekhwiya next time out.

El Jaish maintained their four point lead at the top of the QSL standings thanks to a narrow 1-0 win over Al Kharaitiyat. Sabri Lamouchi’s side looked quiet at times during the game and relied on a moment of magic from Uzbekistan international Sardor Rashidov to grab all three points.

Rasidov timed his run to perfection to be left one on one with Thunders keeper Ahmed Soufiane. The young winger’s first time shot curled into the back of the net in what was the best move of the game for Jaish. Table topping Jaish take on Al Ahli in round nine, and Rashidov may be called on again to produce a match winning moment for his side.

Al Sadd downed Al Arabi 3-2 to secure Doha derby bragging rights on Saturday evening. The Wolves dominated for large stretches of the game, thanks in part to Moroccan winger Jugurtha Hamroun who had a say in two of his side’s goals.

Hamroun was bundled down in the second minute of the tie to win a penalty for his side. Whilst in the second half the tricky winger picked out captain Xavi with a well-timed pass to assist for Sadd’s second goal of the evening. Overall Al Sadd’s summer signing was a constant threat moving forward and caused the Arabi defense plenty of problems.