CHAMPION STUFF

THE compelling desire to win even when not at their best, an indomitable spirit and matching ability to perform against all odds, and an uncanny knack of obliging when opportunity presents itself are some key attributes that distinguish champions from challengers.

Lekhwiya yet again showed those qualities in abundance last week as they defeated Al Ahli 2-1 in a gripping penultimate-round encounter to seal the Qatar Stars League (QSL) title, their fifth triumph in seven seasons in the top flight.

Going into the match, Lekhwiya were just two points ahead of their challengers Al Sadd, who were expected to defeat Al Sailiya and take the title race to the wire. But Sadd dropped vital points as they were held to a draw and the Cops emerged champions with one more round to go. 

The Cops were off to a shocking start as Ahli took the lead just four minutes into the game. Khaled Radwan’s intended backpass to goalkeeper Qasim Burhan was woefully short and Ali Ferydoon needed just one touch, a low right-footed shot into the far corner, to give Ahli a dream start.

Though Lekhwiya began to attack in waves and dominated possession, they had to wait until the 36th for the equaliser.

But when it arrived, it presented itself in grand style. Midfielder Karim Boudiaf picked up the ball deep in his own half and spotted Ismail Mohammad readying himself to hit the accelerator on the right, with plenty of Ahli players behind the ball and no apparent danger in sight. 

By the time Boudiaf’s through ball, a well-directed and exquisitely-timed grounder, promptly found Ismail, his hapless marker Meshal Mubarak had given up the chase and the rest of the defenders were not even in the picture. The speedy Lekhwiya winger was left with the simple task of beating Amer Al Dossari in Ahli goal, which he did with elan.

Lekhwiya came back from the breather with even more purpose. However, despite creating plenty of chances, including two crashing headers onto the bar by new signing Edgar Silva, Lekhwiya failed to find the winner until late into injury time. It looked they passed up the chance. 

But cometh the hour, cometh Nam Tae-Hee. 

The South Korean midfielder, described as “the heart of the team” by team-mate Ismail,  was intent upon making the difference throughout and had often tried to do too much, sometimes all by himself. A couple of times he weaved his way into the crowded Ahli box only to be foiled by some desperate defending. But he was presented with an open goal in the fifth minute of the added time after a botched-up clearance by Al Dossari and he happily obliged, effortlessly side-footing the ball home.

That it was Nam, their all-time top scorer with 54 goals, who gave them the winning goal “seemed a just and logical conclusion” to coach Djamel Belmadi.

“For me, it’s (Nam scoring the winner) amazing because I brought him here when he was 19 or 20 years old, six-seven years ago. The story is amazing also because he won many leagues, many trophies with Lekhwiya and he broke the record of scoring goals. He’s the best scorer ever of Lekhwiya club,” said Belmadi.

“There’s no logic in football, but this was kind of logic. It could’ve been another one, but instead it’s him,” the Algerian continued his praise of Nam. “He was very sick for the last few days and there was a big question mark on his participation. But he has a big heart and he really wanted to play.”

Belmadi, who was in charge when Lekhwiya started off in the league in sensational fashion, winning back-to-back titles in 2010-11 and 2011-12, now has three league crowns.

“This is my third title as a coach in the QSL, and it’s a big honour to win the shield again. I’m very happy to achieve this,” said Belmadi. “We had a big season and achieved many records, and I hope to continue winning more championships. I’m proud to train this special group of players.”

Lekhwiya always had an enviable array of talent, but Belmadi made sure his players were hungry for success. They were often hampered by injuries, with top striker Youssef El Arabi, talented forward Youssef Msakni and defensive rock Chico Flores still out, but everyone who got the opportunity gave their best. They certainly had the players and, more importantly, the attitude to bail them out of any situation.

That Lekhwiya meant business this season was evident from the start. Their last-gasp victory against Ahli and Al Sadd, as well as a thrilling 3-3 draw against Al Wakrah after trailing 0-3 till the 72nd minute, were clear indications to this. 

“For the last six-seven years, they (players such as Nam, Boudiaf and Ismail) have won everything and are still ready to be pushed. You push them and ask a lot from them and they’re ready to give,” Belmadi said at the post-match Press conference, which was briefly interrupted by his celebrating staff. 

“This (spirit and togetherness) is the secret of our victory,” he said as the group was leaving the room. 

Plenty of sterner challenges await them, in domestic cup competitions as well as AFC Champions League, but it looks like Belmadi and his spirited men are ready for more.