Al Rayyan finish second despite 2-0 win over Wakrah

Mohammad Amin

DOHA, Qatar: Al Rayyan had to settle for a second place in the Qatar Stars League despite their 2-0 win over Al Wakrah in the last round match here on Friday evening.

Al Duhail, who beat Al Ahli 1-0 in another match that was held simultaneously, clinched the title with just one point separated them (52) and Rayyan (51).

Yacine Brahimi (59th) and Gabriel Mercado (71st) were the scorers for Rayyan, who came close to winning the title after 2015-16 season.

Perhaps, this season’s league was one of the most keenly-contested one that went down to the wire between Duhail and Rayyan.

The league was resumed on July 24 after over a four-month break due to coronavirus pandemic with the remaining five rounds were played that decided the fate of the teams.

Defending champions Al Sadd had to be content with a third-place finish on 45 points.

Al Gharafa finished fourth that would earn them a ticket to compete in the AFC Champions League.

Rayyan coach Diego Aguirre adopted a simple but effected 4-4-2 formation that virtually helped them shut out Wakrah, who finished a creditable sixth after gaining promotion this season.

However, Yacine was in full flow and kept the pressure on the opponents with probing balls with his veteran striking partner Sebastian Soria.