The 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League’s Week 16 matches played on Tuesday and Wednesday (March 5 and 6, 2024) witnessed excitement galore, be it at the top, middle or the bottom of standings.

RESULTS

Al Duhail drew Al Markhiya     0-0

Umm Salal lost to Al Shamal     3-4

Muaither drew Al Ahli      1-1

Qatar SC lost to Al Arabi 3-4

Al Gharafa drew Al Sadd 2-2

Al Rayyan bt Al Wakrah  3-0

The round witnessed 23 goals, with an average of 3.8 goals per match, and three matches ended in draws, and the largest victory was achieved by Al Rayyan (3-0) over Al Wakrah. Al Duhail, Al Markhiya and Al Wakrah did not record any goal.

The yellow card was also shown 21 times, while the red card was issued once, which went to Al Rayyan player Andre Amaro.

Two players scored three goals each (hat-trick): Al Shamal’s Ricardo Gomez against Umm Salal and Al Arabi star Omar Al Somah against Qatar SC. Three players scored two goals each: Umm Salal’s Marouane Louadni, Qatar SC’s Yohan Boli and Al Rayyan’s Roger Guedes.

Al Rayyan, Al Arabi and Al Shamal are considered among the most prominent beneficiaries during this week following their victories which made them advance in the positions. Al Rayyan advanced from third to second on goal difference over Al Gharafa, who are third, and Al Arabi moved from sixth to fifth place. Al Shamal also advanced from 10th place to ninth.

The exciting competition continued between the top teams to win and collect points ahead of the decisive rounds, and the struggle continued between teams in the bottom half of the table as they sought to avoid relegation or Play-Off match.

Al Sadd continued to maintain their top position after they drew with Al Gharafa, raising The Wolves’ tally to 36 points. Al Gharafa have 31 points, equal to Al Rayyan (second on goal difference). The two teams’ draw was in favour of the motivated Al Rayyan, who continue to shine after overcoming Al Wakrah to raise their points to 31.

Al Wakrah suffered their second loss in a row, losing to Al Markhiya in Week 15 and to Al Rayyan in Week 16. The Blue Wave are still far from their level in terms of results and this was what reflected on the last three matches after the break, where they tied in one match and lost in two. They remained on 28 points and are in fourth place.

Al Arabi regained their winning touch , raising their points to 21 and are in fifth place, giving their strong motivation before the anticipated and exciting confrontation against Al Sadd next Sunday at Al Thumama Stadium in Week 17.

Reigning champions Al Duhail are still looking to regain their winning touch as they continued to drop points. They now have 19 points in sixth place on better goal difference over seventh-placed Umm Salal, which slipped from fifth position following their loss to Al Shamal.

Al Ahli remained in eighth place despite their draw with Muaither, raising their points to 16, and Al Shamal advanced to ninth place with 15 points after their exciting victory over Umm Salal.

Qatar SC fell from ninth to 10th place with 13 points, two points more than Muaither who have 11 points. Al Markhiya stood last with eight points despite drawing with Al Duhail.

Following their victory over Al Wakrah in Week 15, Al Markhiya obtained four points from two rounds and confirmed that they benefited greatly from the changes they made to their ranks in the winter transfer period.