DOHA: Umm Salal SC were officially relegated from the Qatar Stars League after a 3-1 loss to Al Ahli SC at Stadium 974 on Monday.
A poor run of form in their final matches saw Umm Salal finish bottom with 20 points, while Al Ahli moved up to ninth with 26. Second Division champions Lusail SC will replace them in the top flight next season.
Al Ahli struck early through Islam Yaseen, who scored from close range after a corner. Umm Salal thought they had equalised, but Michael Baidoo’s goal from a set piece by Oussama Tannane was disallowed following a VAR review.
The hosts extended their lead after the break when Michel Vlap curled in a free-kick, before Julian Draxler added a third on the counter. Tannane later pulled one back, but it proved only a consolation.
Elsewhere, Al Shahania SC avoided automatic relegation by finishing 11th with 21 points and will face Al Kharaitiyat SC in a playoff to stay in the league.
Round 22 results:
- Al Sadd SC 3–2 Al Shamal SC
- Al Wakrah SC 3–1 Al Sailiya SC
- Al Ahli 3–1 Umm Salal
- Al Rayyan SC 4–0 Al Arabi SC
- Al Gharafa SC 1–1 Al Shahania
- Al Duhail SC 2–1 Qatar SC
