Doha : The race at both ends of the Qatar Stars League tightened after a dramatic Round 19, with the leading trio all suffering defeats while the battle to avoid relegation intensified.
League leaders Al Sadd SC were beaten 4-1 by Al Arabi SC but remain top with 38 points. Al Shamal SC lost 3-1 to Al Duhail SC and stay second on 34 points, ahead of Al Gharafa SC on goal difference after their 4-1 defeat to Al Ahli SC.
Among the top four, only Al Rayyan SC avoided defeat, edging Al Wakrah SC 2-1 to consolidate fourth place on 31 points. They hold a three-point cushion over Qatar SC and Al Arabi, though both rivals have a game in hand.
Al Duhail boosted their slim hopes of breaking into the top four, moving to 27 points in seventh place—four behind Al Rayyan—with three rounds remaining.
At the bottom, the fight to avoid relegation has become increasingly tight. Al Sailiya SC defeated Al Shahaniya SC 3-2, while Umm Salal drew 0-0 with Qatar SC, leaving just three points separating ninth and bottom.
Umm Salal SC sit ninth with 20 points, followed by Al Ahli on 19, Al Sailiya on 18—with a game in hand—and Al Shahaniya bottom on 17, setting up a tense run-in to the season.
