Al Ahli Closes the Gap on Al Duhail Following Its Shock Loss. Doha, Qatar – The Ooredoo Stars League (OSL) has returned after a nearly three-week break, but not without some major surprises shaking up the standings. A riveting matchday saw bottom-placed Al Shahania shatter Al Duhail’s unbeaten run, while Al Ahli narrowed the gap at the top with an emphatic win over Al Shamal.
The OSL’s break may have been brief, but its effect on the standings has been substantial, as the battle for supremacy heats up. The recent results have injected fresh energy into the title race, and every club is now strategizing for the league’s resumption on October 18, following international fixtures such as the AFC Champions League and FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
Al Ahli Closes the Gap on Al Duhail Following Its Shock Loss
Al Shahania, previously occupying the bottom position, stunned league leaders Al Duhail with a dramatic 2-1 victory, their first win of the season. Dutch midfielder Pelle van Amersfoort was the star of the show, scoring twice in the first half to give his side a much-needed breakthrough.
Despite a late surge from Al Duhail with Michael Olunga finding the net in the 74th minute, it was too little, too late. Al Duhail’s coach, Christophe Galtier, expressed his disappointment, citing a “lack of intensity” and poor “accuracy” in execution as the primary reasons for the defeat.
“This result is a real blow to our campaign after a good start to the season. We were hoping for a win but ultimately, we have no one to blame but ourselves. We didn’t adhere to our game plan or perform at a level that would have secured us victory,” said Galtier.
Al Ahli Tightens the Race
Meanwhile, Al Ahli capitalized on Al Duhail’s slip-up, closing the gap to just one point after securing a thrilling 4-2 victory over Al Shamal at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. Under the guidance of coach Igor Biscan, Al Ahli remains the only team in the league to maintain an unbeaten record after six games. Biscan hailed his team’s performance, emphasizing the importance of consistency as they push for the title.
“Maintaining this momentum is key. We’re building confidence with every game, and the players are responding brilliantly to the challenges,” said Biscan.
The Rest of the Table
The win for Al Shahania propelled them two spots up the table, putting them in 10th place with five points, just ahead of Qatar SC. On the other hand, Al Khor slipped to the bottom of the table with only three points after suffering a defeat to Al Wakrah on Thursday.
Al Wakrah themselves have surged to third place, holding 11 points, one point ahead of Umm Salal, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Qatar SC in a hard-fought match at Al Janoub Stadium. With the league tightly contested, the standings remain highly competitive as clubs jostle for better positions.
Al Sadd Eyes a Comeback
Defending champions Al Sadd are currently in fifth place with nine points. After a rocky start to the season that saw them lose consecutive matches, Al Sadd bounced back with a 4-2 victory over Al Gharafa. The team’s coach is confident that their resurgence will continue as they prepare to extend their winning streak when the league resumes.
Al Gharafa and Al Shamal sit in sixth and seventh place, respectively, while Al Arabi and Al Rayyan, currently in eighth and ninth positions, will be keen to improve their standings once the action restarts.
Key Matches and Upcoming Fixtures
With the OSL set to resume on October 18, teams will be recharged and eager to perform after the international break. Matches in the AFC Champions League Elite and the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers will also play a crucial role in shaping the preparedness and morale of several teams.
The race for the top spot has never been closer, and clubs like Al Ahli, Al Wakrah, and Umm Salal will look to capitalize on any further slip-ups from Al Duhail. Meanwhile, Al Shahania’s resurgence offers a thrilling narrative for fans, proving that even teams at the bottom of the table can dramatically alter the course of the season.
Ooredoo Stars League Standings (As of the Latest Round)
| Position | Club | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Duhail | 15 |
| 2 | Al Ahli | 14 |
| 3 | Al Wakrah | 11 |
| 4 | Umm Salal | 10 |
| 5 | Al Sadd | 9 |
| 6 | Al Gharafa | 8 |
| 7 | Al Shamal | 7 |
| 8 | Al Arabi | 6 |
| 9 | Al Rayyan | 6 |
| 10 | Al Shahania | 5 |
| 11 | Qatar SC | 4 |
| 12 | Al Khor | 3 |
As the OSL gears up for its next round of fixtures, the title race is wide open, and every match promises to be more exciting than the last. Keep an eye on the standings as the league returns to action!