Qatari giants Al Sadd lifted the Qatar Stars League (QSL) title for a record-breaking 18th time, and for the second year in a row, after steamrolling Al Ahli 5-0 at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Friday.

Talismanic player Akram Afif opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 13th minute, before Moustafa Tarek Mashal (44), Paula Otavio (45+2), Rafa Mujica (67), and Claudinho (81) all shook the net.

The victory ensured Sadd lifted the coveted Falcon Shield, ending the season with 52 points, edging Al Duhail (50), who beat Al Khor 1-0 the same day. Ahli, who finished in the top-four with 35 points, clinched the AFC Champions League Two qualification. Sadd, Duhail and Al Gharafa (41pts) made it to the AFC Champions League Elite for the new season.

With Sadd needing nothing short of a victory to ensure the title win, they went ahead quite early. Ahli’s Talal Abdulla Bahzad fouled Afif inside the ‘D’ on the right and near the goal-line. Although the referee initially ruled out a foul, a VAR check showed Bahzad had stepped on Afif’s left-foot. The Sadd player stepped up and scored coolly from the spot.

A determined Ahli tried to make amends, but the players made mistakes and failed to score. Sadd players were quite sharp at the other end and soon increased the lead.

After Ahli goalkeeper Marwan Sherif spilled a long strike from Claudinho, a charging Mashal put the ball into the net.

Ahli’s hopes of a comeback were dashed within minutes as Otavio deflected home a super Afif cross from the left to make it 3-0. The two quick strikes delighted former Sadd and Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez, who was in attendance at the stadium.

Sadd further stamped their class and authority in the second half.

Afif once again lit up the stadium as he attempted to score with a left-footed strike in the 66th, but Sherif stopped the kick. However, it mattered little as in the very next minute, Afif provided Mujica with a fine cross from the right to score (4-0).

Claudinho also soon joined the festivities, thumping in a down-headed volley from Paulo Otavio. Afif and Mujica ended with 18 goals each, the highest for their team in the league championship.

Al Rayyan’s Roger Guedes scored the most, 19 goals. Al Shamal’s Baghdad Bounedjah also ended up with 18 goals.

It was Sadd’s tenth Qatar Stars League triumph since the 1999-2000 season.

Qatar Football Association and QSL President Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, and QSL CEO Hani Taleb Ballan crowned Sadd as champions, in the presence club Vice-President Eng. Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Board Member Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, and Ooredoo Qatar CEO Sheikh Ali bin Jabor Al Thani.

---

Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content. 

Instagram - @qatarliving

X - @qatarliving

Facebook - Qatar Living

YouTube - qatarlivingofficial