DOHA : Al Sadd SC stretched their lead at the top of the Doha Stars League after the 16th round of matches, while Al Shamal SC climbed to second place and Umm Salal SC strengthened their bid for survival.
The defending champions moved four points clear at the summit with 35 points following a 3-1 victory over Al Wakrah SC.
Al Gharafa, who had trailed Al Sadd by a single point before the round began, slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Al Shamal in the headline fixture. The loss was Al Gharafa’s third consecutive setback in the league and left them level on 31 points with Al Shamal, who moved into second place on goal difference.
Al Rayyan SC consolidated fourth spot with 28 points after a 2-1 win over Al Ahli SC.
Qatar SC kept their top-four hopes alive by edging Al Shahaniya SC 4-3 to climb to fifth on 24 points, ahead of Al Arabi SC on goal difference after Al Arabi were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Duhail SC.
Al Wakrah sit seventh with 22 points, while Al Duhail are eighth on 21.
At the bottom, Umm Salal boosted their survival chances with a crucial win over Al Sailiya SC, moving to 15 points in 11th place. They trail Al Sailiya, ninth, and Al Ahli, 10th, on goal difference.
Al Shahaniya remain bottom of the 12-team table with 11 points.
