Expo Stars League Week 20 Review

Doha: Curtains came down on Week 20 of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League, held over three days from April 5 to 7, 2024, and witnessed six matches. Five of them ended in victory and one was drawn between Al Gharafa and Umm Salal. The top-of-the-bill clash between Al Sadd and Al Duhail ended with Al Duhail winning 3-1, keeping Al Sadd in the lead despite the loss with 43 points, while Al Duhail are sixth with 25 points. Al Gharafa failed to achieve victory as they tied with Umm Salal, leaving Al Gharafa in second place with 41 points and Umm Salal in eighth place with 21 points. Al Rayyan are considered as one of the biggest beneficiaries during this round as they achieved a 1-0 victory over Muaither, climbing to third place with 38 points, while Muaither remained in 11th place and penultimate position with 14 points. Al Arabi came from behind to secure a thrilling 4-2 victory over Al Wakrah, raising their points tally to 26 in fifth place, while Al Wakrah fell to fourth place with 37 points. Qatar S C also succeeded in returning to winning ways and snatched an exciting 2-1 victory Al Shamal, bringing The Kings to 19 points in 10th place, while Al Shamal remained on 21 points in seventh place on goal difference from Umm Salal in eighth place. Al Markhiya succeeded in holding on to the hope of escaping relegation, being in last place, by achieving their third victory this season, over Al Ahli with a score of 4-1, to remain in 12th place with 11 points and reduce the difference to three points with Muaither (11th), while Al Ahli remained on 20 points in ninth place. The week witnessed 21 goals scored and the largest number of goals was in the match between Al Wakrah and Al Arabi (six goals), then Al Ahli and Al Markhiya (five goals). Al Rayyan came away with a clean sheet and Al Arabi striker Omar Al Somah, Al Wakrah forward Mohamed Benyettou and Al Markhiyas Bashar Resan scored two goals each in this round. Returning to the matches, the confrontation between Al Duhail and Al Sadd ended with Al Duhail w inning by three goals to one, causing Al Sadd to suffer their second loss this season. The first half ended with the two teams tied 1-1 and the excitement reached its peak in the second half after Al Duhail scored two goals, so the match ended with Al Duhail winning 3-1. Al Arabi overturned a deficit with a goal down to win 4-2 against hosts Al Wakrah. Benyettou scored for Al Wakrah in the fourth minute and 90+2 minute from a penalty kick, while Al Arabis Alaaeldin Hassan scored in the 37th minute, Omar Al Somah scored in the 64th and 87th minutes, and Yousef Msakni in the 90+10 minute. Qatar SC achieved a valuable victory over Al Shamal, strengthening their position in 10th place and taking a step towards moving away from the relegation zone or playing the Play-Off match and they are close to ensuring their survival in the competition. Al Rayyan also achieved an exciting victory over Muaither with a 1-0 victory as The Lions succeeded in deciding the first half in their favour with a goal scored by Morocca n Achraf Bencharki. In the second half, the match was evenly balanced between the teams amid strong attempts by Muaither to score the equalizer, but Al Rayyans defence was solid. In the most exciting match, Umm Salal achieved an exciting draw against Al Gharafa. The first half ended in a goalless draw and Al Gharafas advantage continued in some minutes in the second half through continuous pressure that resulted in a goal scored by Tunisian Ferjani Sassi. Umm Salal succeeded in regaining their balance and scored the equalizing goal through striker Kenji Gorre in 90+3 minute, stopping The Cheetahs winning run. Source: Qatar News Agency