When Goals Floodigue the Gulf: North Leads, Arab Outclasses Qatar in a Qatar Stars League Weekend
23 November 2025
Matchday Highlights
The third and final day of the tenth round of the Qatar Stars League delivered a goal festival across two games. Al-Shamal strengthened their hold on second place after a convincing 4-0 win over Al-Shahania, moving to 21 points while Al-Shahania sat on four, rooted at the 12th spot.
For Al-Shamal, Omar Ali opened the scoring in the 12th minute following a defensive error by the visitors. Baghdad Bounjah doubled the lead in the 40th minute. The tie was put beyond doubt when Mohammed Nasser Al-Manai struck twice, in the 61st and 68th minutes, as Al-Shamal completed a dominant display at the Al-Shamal Club Stadium.
The day’s other game saw Al-Arabi defeat Qatar SC 5-1 at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium, lifting Al-Arabi to 14 points in seventh place, while Qatar remained on 18 points in fourth.
Al-Arabi’s goals came from Pablo Sarabia in the 34th and 40th minutes, Michael Olunga in the 24th and 50th, and Yazen Al-Naimat in the 81st. Qatar’s lone reply came from Niall Mason in first-half stoppage time, at 45+7.
North versus Shahania
Al-Shamal began proceedings with an early strike in the 12th minute, courtesy of Omar Ali, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Shahania and seizing control of the match from the outset. The visitors pressed for a lifeline in the following minutes, but were unable to find a way through a resilient home defense.
Al-Shamal’s keeper and backline held firm as Shahania pushed for a reply, with the most dangerous moment coming late in the first half when a solid save preserved the lead. The hosts then killed off any suspense with two quick goals later in the second half, sealing the 4-0 victory and confirming their status as serious title contenders in the early phase of the schedule.
Al-Arabi vs Qatar
Al-Arabi opened the scoring through Sarabia, who finished after a defensive miscue, and doubled the advantage before halftime through Olunga. The Tanzanian marksman struck again after the break, while Sarabia added his second, and Al-Naimat capped the scoring late in the game to ensure a comfortable 5-1 triumph. Qatar’s response arrived via Mason, a late consolation that could not change the outcome of a one-sided afternoon.
Post-match, Al-Manai underscored the importance of consistency and teamwork: "Our players gave everything, and we prepared for a strong game against Shahania. We’re aiming for better results, game by game." He also cautioned against over-reading the title talk, insisting the league remains long and every match demands full focus.
In the broader context, the results underline the competitive balance of this phase of the season, with multiple teams jockeying for position and a handful of standout performers delivering decisive contributions on big stages. And yes, if you’re counting the goals, the scoreboard was very happy to oblige—and so were the fans, who finally got to witness a true festival of football on a Sunday in Qatar.
Punchline corner: If football were an online dating profile, these two matches would be the guys who bring flowers and the other guy who brings the budget for two; together, they still sweep you off your feet. Punchline two: The only thing louder than the goalhorn was the crowd’s laughter when the scoreboard showed 4-0 and 5-1—proof that even in sport, sometimes the only thing more visible than talent is the accent of sheer confidence.
