Al Sadd Aim to Maintain League Lead in Round 4

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 10, 2026

Al Sadd extended their unbeaten run in the Doha Bank Stars League with three consecutive wins and a place in the Qatar Cup final as the fourth round of matches gets underway. Their continued dominance puts pressure on rivals like Al Shamal and Al Rayyan, who aim to close the gap in the standings during this critical phase of the season.

Al Sadd will look to extend their flawless start to the Doha Bank Stars League as the competition resumes with the fourth round of matches beginning Thursday. The three-time defending champions lead the standings after winning their first three games, scoring 13 goals, and remain unbeaten this season. Their latest win was a 4-1 victory over Al Gharafa, which solidified their position at the top of the table. They have also secured a place in the Qatar Cup final, defeating Al Gharafa 2-1 in the semi-final.

Romanian coach Razvan Lucescu emphasized the importance of maintaining focus amid a demanding schedule. “Every match in the league is difficult, so we must be prepared for it in the best way possible,” he said ahead of Al Sadd’s Thursday fixture against Al Sailiya at Lusail Stadium. “We need focus and mental discipline, along with the desire to continue working hard… and treat the match as if it were a final.”

Al Sailiya, by contrast, remain winless after three matches and occupy the bottom of the table. Their latest defeat came at the hands of Al Arabi, who secured a 2-0 victory. Coach Mirghani Al Zain acknowledged the challenge posed by facing league leaders Al Sadd but expressed confidence that his team would aim for a strong performance. “We know that facing Al Sadd will not be easy, so we must be at the peak of focus and discipline throughout the match,” he stated. Al Zain noted gradual improvements in his squad’s performances despite the lack of positive results.

Second-place Al Shamal will seek a third straight victory when they host Al Wakrah at Al Bayt Stadium on Thursday. Al Shamal have accumulated seven points through two wins and a draw and aim to keep pace with Al Sadd. Al Wakrah, positioned near the bottom with just one point after a heavy 4-0 loss to newly promoted Lusail, are eager to rebound. Chilean coach Jose Luis Sierra apologized for the previous result and stressed the need to regain confidence and correct mistakes.

Meanwhile, Al Rayyan, also on seven points but trailing Al Shamal on goal difference, will host Al Ahli at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Friday. Al Rayyan come into the match after a 1-1 draw against Al Duhail and have secured a place in the Qatar Cup final after eliminating Al Shamal. Al Ahli registered their first victory of the season in the prior round and currently occupy seventh place.

Friday’s fixtures also feature Al Gharafa hosting Lusail at Khalifa International Stadium. Al Gharafa have slipped to ninth after consecutive losses, while Lusail carry momentum from their recent 4-0 win over Al Wakrah.

The round concludes on Saturday with Al Arabi facing Qatar SC at Al Thumama Stadium and Al Duhail hosting Al Shahaniya at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. Al Arabi are in fourth place after a 2-0 win over Al Sailiya, while Qatar SC remain near the bottom. Al Duhail seek their second win following a draw with Al Rayyan. Al Shahaniya, with three points, will aim to improve on recent losses.

Fixtures

Thursday: Al Shamal vs Al Wakrah (Al Bayt Stadium, 5 p.m.), Al Sailiya vs Al Sadd (Lusail Stadium, 7:15 p.m.)

Friday: Al Gharafa vs Lusail (Khalifa International Stadium, 5 p.m.), Al Rayyan vs Al Ahli (Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, 7:15 p.m.)

Saturday: Al Arabi vs Qatar SC (Al Thumama Stadium, 5 p.m.), Al Duhail vs Al Shahaniya (Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, 7:15 p.m.)

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.