Al Shahania took on Qatar SC at the Lekhwiya stadium yesterday in a do or die relegation playoff. Tensions were high as the winner of the game would be plying their trade in the QSL next season while the losing side would be relegated to the second division. In the end, it was Qatar SC who emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win.
The match kicked off with lightning pace as both teams pulled out all the stops. Qatar SC’s Ali Awad missed a clear chance in the 21st minute when he sent his shot wide while one on one with the keeper. On the left flank, Babatunde put on a dazzling display of skill which made the Shahania defensive line work overtime.
Rough tackles and end to end play were a consistent theme throughout the game with both sides giving it their all. With everything on the line, the teams adopted a physical playing style which saw a lot of fouls and yellow cards were given out. The first half ended with both sides level pegging and Qatar Sports Club having two shots on target to Al Shahania’s zero.
Abdulla Mubarak’s men took a well-deserved lead in the 61st minute. Ibrahim Gamal dribbled his way from the right flank past three defenders before sending the ball into the goal from an improbable angle. Shahania stopper, Jassim Adil couldn’t judge the trajectory of the ball as it sailed over him, hit the post and then went into the goal.
Despite having most of the ball Igor Stimac’s men could not produce anything concrete in front of goal as they struggled with finishing. In the 78th minute, after a Shahania corner, the ball bounced around inside the six-yard box before Amangua sent it high above the post.
Igor Stimac’s men did not give up hope and kept pushing forward. Fahad Khalfan shot was blocked expertly by a diving Qatar SC keeper Sami Al Hasawi in the 82nd minute. Just two minutes later he headed the ball over the bar, much to the frustration of his team mates.
Tempers flared in added time as three red cards were brandished to Mohamed Salim (Qatar SC) Eduardo Santos (Shahania) and Ali Awad (Qatar SC) after a scuffle. However, it didn’t matter as the Kings held on until the final seconds of the game to register a famous victory and sends their fans into dream land.
With the win Qatar SC will be back in the QSL next season while Shahania will be relegated to the Qatar Gas League.
Scenes from the Lekhwiya stadium yesterday where Qatar SC defeated Shahania in the playoff match to return to the QSL for next season. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil & Anas Khalid
