Unstoppable Al Sadd rout Al Ahli to retain title in style

Al Sadd retained the QNB Stars League in an emphatic style with an 8-2 rout of Al Ahli at the Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium on Monday. The Wolves have been at their dominating best this season and they once again unleashed their attacking force against Ahli, to clinch the Falcon Shield for a record 16th time. Sadd are unbeaten in the league so far and have won the league with four matches still to play, which shows they are on a different level compared to 11 other teams in the league. The Wolves have 52 points from 17 victories and a draw, gaining an unassailable lead over second-placed Al Duhail. The Red Knights moved to 42 points from 19 matches after a 5-0 thumping over Qatar SC, later yesterday. “It’s a wonderful moment for all of us, the players, staff and the fans,” Al Sadd coach Javi Gracia, who replaced Xavi Hernandez in December, said after Al Ahli’s drubbing. “I have won many titles but this is a special one. I want to thank the players, technical, administrative and medical staff for their efforts throughout the season,” he added. The Wolves, who also remained undefeated in their title triumph last year under coach Xavi, have been even better this season as they stretched their unbeaten streak in the QSL to 44 games after the victory yesterday. They have so far scored a whopping 72 goals and conceded only 20 goals, showing supremacy over their opponents. No other team has even touched the 50-goal mark yet. Gracia said Al Sadd’s 77th overall title was not enough to quench team’s thirst. “We want to continue winning and everybody at Al Sadd is hungry for more titles,” the Spaniard said, before adding the team was setting sights on a record-extending 19th Amir Cup trophy. “We will now focus on the quarter-finals against A Ahli (March 5) as our next goal is to win the Amir Cup,” said Gracia. Akram Afif was the first to score for Sadd yesterday, opening the floodgates with a 10th minute strike. Hassan al-Haydos doubled the lead from a spot kick in 29th minute after Al Ahli’s Hossein Kanaani was given the marching orders for handling Abdelkarim Hassan’s shot. Boualem Khoukhi (33rd minute), Santi Cazorla (36th minute), Baghdad Bounedjah (43rd minute) inflicted further damage on Al Ahli as Al Sadd led 5-0 at half-time. The Brigadiers made a fightback with goals from Abdulrasheed Umaru (51st minute) and Aldokali Alsayed (61st minute), but Andre Ayew (63rd minute and 90+3) and Yousef Abdulrazaq (77th minute) added three more goals for Al Sadd to clinch the second successive title in style. “The feeling of the title triumph cannot be described in words,” a jubilant Bounedjah, said. “Al Sadd deserved the title after such a brilliant performance. We dedicate this title to our fans, who always support us. Our next targets now are the Amir Cup and the Asian Champions League titles,” he added.Meanwhile, Al Duhail moved eight points clear of Al Wakrah after outclassing Qatar SC at the Grand Hamad Stadium. Michael Olunga (43 minute and 61) and captain Almoez Ali (65 minute, pen and 89) scored a brace apiece, with Mubarak Shanan Hamza netting in the 90th minute to complete a comprehensive victory. The Red Knights just need one victory from their three remaining games to ensure a second finish in the QSL.Qatar SC remained on 22 points following their ninth defeat.Qatar SC matched Al Duhail in the first half, even though the latter had more possession, but for the header goal scored by Olunga off Paulo Edmilson Junior’s cross from the right.Qatar SC appeared dangerous initially in the second half and were close to equalizing twice, the first in the 50th minute and then in the 58th minute.However, it was Al Duhail who scored again past the hour mark through Olunga’s shot from close range.Al Duhail controlled the game and made repeated attempts. Almoez converted a penalty awarded when he himself was brought down by Djamel Benlamri. Almoez’s second goal came off a powerful shot in the penultimate minute. It was now the turn of Mubarak Shanan to get on to the scoresheet in the last minute of regular play to seal a convincing victory for The Red Knights.