WATCH: QNB Stars League Week 16 highlights

The 2019-20 QNB Stars League’s Week 16 fixtures witnessed exciting actions over the weekend. The much-anticipated Qatar Derby between reigning champions Al Sadd and Al Arabi was the only game that ended in a draw while a total of 14 goals were scored in the matches.

Al Arabi earned a crucial point in their bid to finish among the top four and thus stand a chance for an AFC Champions League berth, Al Sadd dropped two valuable points in successive weeks even though they stayed third in the standings. They were held 2-2 by Umm Salal in the previous week.

Below are the highlights and results:

Match: Al Duhail 3 vs Al Shahania 1

Date: Thursday, February 27, 2020

Venue: Al Duhail Stadium

Al Duhail overcame a battling Al Shahania side to record a 3-1 victory in Week 16 of the 2019-20 QNB Stars League at the Al Duhail Stadium on Thursday. Al Duhail thus further enhanced their QNB Stars League credentials as they moved on to 39 points.

In contrast, Al Shahania stayed rooted to the bottom with nine points. The home side scored through Han Kwang-Song in the fourth minute, Karim Boudiaf (50th minute) and Paulo Edmilson (81st minute). Al Shahania had earlier equalized in the 36th minute through Ahmed Akaichi.

Within minutes of the opening, the game burst into life as The Red Knights took an early lead. Edmilson outwitted his marker in the penalty area before finding Han, who took one touch and drilled the ball into the corner.

Match: Al Rayyan 1 vs Al Ahli 0

Date: Thursday, February 27, 2020

Venue: Al Sadd Stadium

Al Rayyan beat Al Ahli 1-0 in Week 16 of the 2019-20 QNB Stars League at the Al Sadd Stadium on Thursday. Yacine Brahimi scored from the penalty spot in the 69th minute. The Algerian attacking midfielder took his personal tally to 11 goals.

Al Rayyan moved to 35 points, while Al Ahli remained on 18 points. The first half failed to produce any worthwhile attempts.

Match: Al Sadd 1 vs Al Arabi 1

Date: Thursday, February 27, 2020

Venue: Al Sadd Stadium

Al Arabi rallied fiercely to hold reigning champions, Al Sadd, to a 1-1 draw in Week 16 of the 2019-20 QNB Stars League at the Al Sadd Stadium on Thursday. The much-anticipated match, dubbed the Qatar Derby, pitted two teams with passionate fans against each other. And it lived up to its billing.

Al Arabi, coached by Icelander Heimir Hallgrimsson, put up a far improved performance than they did in their 1-6 loss to Al Sadd in the first leg of this season’s tournament, in a match deferred due to the latter’s commitment in the 2019 AFC Champions League. Akram Afif gave Al Sadd the lead by scoring in the 29th minute. Pierre-Michel Lasogga drew parity for Al Arabi by converting from the penalty spot in the 88th minute.

Match: Al Wakrah 1 vs Umm Salal 2

Date: Friday, February 28, 2020

Venue: Al Wakrah Stadium

Umm Salal pulled off a hard-fought 2-1 win over Al Wakrah in Week 16 of the 2019-20 QNB Stars League at the Al Wakrah Stadium on Friday. Raul Becerra (ninth minute) and Mahmoud Al Mawas (84th-minute penalty) scored for Umm Salal, while Al Wakrah’s goal came through Khalid Muneer in the 68th minute.

Umm Salal earned three valuable points in their desperate attempts to move away from the danger zone. The Orange Fortress are now on 13 points following their third victory in this season’s competition. On the other hand, Al Wakrah would rue their missed opportunities despite dominating ball possession with 62 percent. They even forced 10 corner kicks against Umm Salal’s four.

Match: Al Sailiya 2 vs Al Gharafa 0

Date: Friday, February 28, 2020

Venue: Al Gharafa Stadium

Al Sailiya defeated Al Gharafa 2-0 in Week 16 of the 2019-20 QNB Stars League at the Al Ahli Stadium on Friday.

Nadir Belhadj (third minute) and Mohammed Mudather (35th minute) scored for Al Sailiya, who took their tally to 23 points. It was also The Peregrines’ seventh victory.

Al Sailiya thus extended their domination over Al Gharafa this season, having beaten The Cheetahs 3-1 in the first leg of 2019-20 QNB Stars League.

Al Gharafa stood on 25 points after suffering their fifth defeat. It was an unimpressive display by a side that started the season well and occupied a position in the top four for long.

Match: Al Khor 2 vs Qatar SC 0

Date: Saturday, February 29, 2020

Venue: Al Khor Stadium

Al Khor left if late to secure a 2-0 victory against Qatar SC in Week 16 of the 2019-20 QNB Stars League at the Al Khor Stadium on Saturday.

A brace from Tiago Bezerra (86th-minute penalty and 90+5 minutes) was enough to give Al Khor all three points. Al Khor now have 14 points and Qatar SC stood on 16.

Coming into the match in such a precarious league position, it was of paramount importance that Al Khor got off to a good start and they were nearly rewarded in the opening minutes when Ibrahim Amada’s sweet, left-footed volley flew marginally off target.

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