A great club back at apex of Qatari football
AYENI OLUSEGUN
Doha
founded by four students in 1969 with the only goal of just playing football without joining other established teams, Al Sadd have probably succeeded beyond the expectations of its establishers.
Adjudged to have the best fanbase in Qatar, Al Sadd on Thursday broke their six-year-long barren spell as Qatar Stars League champions in scintillating fashion with a 7-2 thrashing of Al Ahli, who happened to be in their way
of greatness.
The Wolves had a thing to prove this season having watched Al Rayyan and particularly Al Duhail control a trophy they have won a record 13 times prior to Thursdays thundering triumph.
Leading the league in almost every statistics – just six goals shy of reaching 100 for the season and have lost just one game so far, Al Sadds dominance has been brewing for years.
The Wolves have also been a top destination for some of Europes top players notably amongst the crop being Real Madrid icon Raul Gonzalez, who captained the team to their 13th league success in 2012-13 season.
Other stars to have graced the Al Sadd dressing room include Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez and Atletico Madrids Gabi Fernandez both in the current squad.
The club has also groomed some of Qatars top players like former AFC Player of the Year, Khalfan Ibrahim and currently Qatar national team captain Hassan al Haydos.
Speaking after the game, Haydos who joined the club as a boy and is now an integral member of the side said, “The team deserved the title after a long journey throughout the season. Our main goal since the start of the year was to regain the title which has been absent from the club for years.”
“This achievement will be the beginning of more honours and we will continue to work with the support of the fans,” he added.
Top goal scorer with 39 goals in the season Baghdad Bounedjah has enjoyed his most productive season in front of goal. The Algerian praised his colleagues for their contributions.
“Our goal was to win the title and thank God we were able to do it. The team showed enough fighting spirit and hunger which helped us a lot.
“Personally, reaching a historical milestone in front of goal has been down to my colleagues. The title is more important but personal achievements also come with team success. The Falcon Shield has returned home and we have given our fans joy after so many years.”
Also, Qatar Stars League (QSL) CEO Hani Taleb Ballan congratulated the Board of Directors of Al Sadd club on their triumph. In a statement on the leagues website, Ballan said, “On behalf of all members and staff of the QSL, I congratulate the Al Sadd Club, players, technical and administrative staff as well as fans on showing excellence in the championship. The results and achievements by Al Sadd prove they fully deserved to be crowned.”
Al Sadd will soon be back in action at the AFC Champions League on Tuesday when Al Sadd visit Uzbekistan side
Pakhtakor in Tashkent.Established in 1969, Al Sadd has come a long way in Qatari footballing history.
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