DOHA: Al Sadd SC clinched their third consecutive title and 19th overall in the Qatar Stars League, defeating Al Shamal SC 3-2 in a thrilling final-round decider at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
Goals from Akram Afif (20’), Roberto Firmino (22’) and Paulo Otavio (68’) sealed the victory for Al Sadd, who finished the season on 45 points from 22 matches.
For Al Shamal, Baghdad Bounedjah (65’) and Jeison Murillo (85’, pen) found the net, but their late push fell short as they ended runners-up on 40 points.
Al Shamal’s hopes suffered a major setback early in the second half when Abdessamed Bounacer was sent off in the 49th minute for a foul on Afif, reducing them to 10 men.
Al Sadd struck first when Afif’s effort from inside the box took a deflection, wrong-footing goalkeeper Babacar Seck. Minutes later, Firmino doubled the lead, finishing clinically from a delivery by Claudinho.
Al Shamal responded through Bounedjah, who beat Meshaal Barsham to pull one back. However, Otavio restored Al Sadd’s two-goal cushion with a well-taken strike before Murillo’s late penalty set up a tense finish that ultimately came too late.
Al Sadd’s triumph further cements their dominance in Qatari football, while Al Shamal’s wait for a maiden league title continues.
