Professional players stand out in round nine of QSL season

Round nine of the QSL season saw five professional players make the difference for the respective sides scoring crucial goals and putting in man of the match performances. Here in our weekly feature we profile the players who stood out.

Umm Salal needed two second half goals to confirm just their third win of the season against a resolute Muaither side on Thursday evening. Ivorian striker Yannick Sagbo was a constant threat for his side and tapped in the match winner on the 80^th minute. 

The goal capped off a typically bustling performance from the former Hull City striker who troubled the Muaither backline throughout the game. Head coach Bülent Uygun will be hoping for more of the same from Sagbo when Umm Salal take on a Al Gharafa side who have been on top form in the QSL in recent weeks.

Al Sadd just edged past Al Khor 1-0 in their round nine game. The Wolves needed a moment of magic from their captain Xavi to unlock the Khor defense to keep pressure on league leaders El Jaish. Five minutes into the second half, Xavi turned in an Abdulkarim Hassan cross on the half volley to give his side the lead.

As ever, the Wolves captain dictated play in the center of the park moving the ball quickly for team-mates who were looking to break down Al Khor. Along with the goal Xavi was a threat from corner kicks setting up a host of chances for his side.

El Jaish defender Lucas Mendes struck a sublime free-kick with moments to spare to give league leaders El Jaish a big 1-0 win over Al Ahli. Sabri Lamouchi’s side looked second best for most of the match on Friday evening; however they still came away with the win.

Mendes doesn’t normally step up for free kicks for his side, however on the 85^th minute the big Brazilian stepped up to curl the ball into the back of the net with a sweetly struck effort. Jaish will be targeting to maintain their four point gap at the top of the table when they take on second placed Lekhwiya in round ten.

 A brace from Vladimir Weiss helped Al Gharafa secure a famous 3-2 win over Al Rayyan on Saturday evening. The tricky attacker opened up the scoring from the penalty spot, and was on hand on the 88^th minute to smash in from close range for a deserved winner for his side.

Weiss was a constant threat in attack for Pedro Caixina’s side who replaced Rayyan in fourth place following the win. Al Gharafa has now won their last four games in a row and will be targeting a fifth when they take on Umm Salal in round 10.

Despite being on the losing side this week Sergio Garcia makes the list with his headline grabbing performance against Al Gharafa. Rayyan’s Spanish striker grabbed two goals for his side in what was a lively performance from the veteran.

Both goals showed Garcia at his goal scoring best, with the former Espanyol man beating a defender before unleashing a curling shot past Gharafa keeper Yusef Hasan. Al Rayyan head coach Michael Laudrup will be hoping Garcia can bring his goal scoring form into the Qatar Classico against Al Sadd on Wednesday evening.