QSL: Umm Salal relegated after defeat to Al Ahli in last round game

DOHA: Umm Salal SC were officially relegated from the Qatar Stars League on Monday evening after a 3-1 defeat to Al Ahli SC at Stadium 974, capping off a disappointing end to their campaign.

Failing to secure a positive result in their final three matches, Umm Salal finished bottom of the table with 20 points, while Al Ahli climbed to ninth place with 26 points.

As a result, Umm Salal will drop to the Second Division, with Lusail SC — the Second Division champions — set to replace them in the top flight next season.

Al Ahli took control early when Islam Yaseen opened the scoring with a well-taken left-footed strike from the centre of the box following a corner. Umm Salal believed they had found an equaliser soon after, but Michael Baidoo’s effort from Oussama Tannane’s set piece was ruled out after a VAR review.

The visitors extended their lead early in the second half as Michel Vlap scored a superb free-kick after Erik Expósito was fouled. Julian Draxler then made it 3-0 in the 57th minute, finishing off a swift counter-attack led by Suhaib Gannan. Tannane managed to pull one back in the 69th minute, but Al Ahli comfortably saw out the match.

Elsewhere, Al Shahania SC avoided automatic relegation by finishing 11th with 21 points and will now face Al Kharaitiyat SC in a playoff to retain their Qatar Stars League status.

Results: 22nd Round

Al Sadd bt Al Shamal 3-2;
Al Wakrah bt Al Sailiya 3-1;
Al Ahli bt Umm Salal 3-1;
Al Rayyan bt Al Arabi 4-0;
Al Gharafa drew with Al Shahania 1-1;
Al Duhail bt Qatar SC 2-1