Edmilson’s first half strike ensured there was no final day drama as Al Duhail beat Al Ahli 1-0 to regain the QNB Stars League title yesterday. It was far from impressive performance from Duhail, who seemed to struggle under pressure as they went into the match with just a point ahead over Al Rayyan.
Duhail got the job done though, thanks to Edmilson’s free kick in the 24th minute and partly to Al Ahli’s lack of urgency in front of goal at the Al Janoub Stadium. For Al Rayyan, their 2-0 win over Al Wakrah at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium went in vain and had to settle for second place. Duhail finished with 52 points. 
Duhail, who last won the title in 2017-18 season, have now regained the Falcon Shield, which they had relinquished to Al Sadd last season. Walid Regragui’s men, though, will know they need to fare much better to keep their title next season, which is scheduled to begin early next month.
A draw for Duhail and victory for Rayyan yesterday would have forced a play-off, but Duhail managed to keep their nerve intact and see of the game. Duhail went ahead after the Belgium striker’ free kick deflected off Ahli defender and landed on the net. That slice of luck helped Duhail on the night as they wasted plenty of opportunities otherwise. 
Duhail thought they had scored in the fifth minute, but Mohamed Muntari’s strike was ruled out for offside. After Al Ahli goalkeeper Ivanildo Rodrigues conceded a free kick, Edmilson made him pay. 

Edmilson could have doubled the lead in the 50th minute but took a long time to shoot before Ahli’s Jasem Omar blocked to clear it off the line. Almoez Ali was poor on the night as his strike sailed over the bar, thankfully though it did not cost Duhail. 
In another match yesterday, Al Arabi and Qatar SC played out a goalless draw at the Al Janoub Stadium. Arabi and Qatar SC finished their campaigns with 26 and 20 points respectively.
Possession was almost even right throughout the game. While Al Arabi attacked more through the wings, forcing nine corner kicks as against Qatar SC’s two, the latter created more purpose in the attack as Sardor Rashidov and Kayke Rodriguez led their charge.
Goalkeepers Jassim al-Hail of Qatar SC and his Al Arabi counterpart Mahmoud Abunada did not face any serious threats even though both came to the rescue of their teams at times. Al-Hail was returning from an injury layoff.
Abunada collected a shot from Rashidov and header from Kayke in the first half. Qatar SC’s best chance came in the 65th minute when Abunada blocked Rashidov’s shot from close range.
Al Arabi’s Jassim Jaber effected a save before Kayke could get the ball off a Rashidov cross from the right in the 83rd minute. 
Soon, Al Arabi’s Mohamed Salem al-Hamed failed to connect a Marc Martinez free-kick and the stalemate continued.