Clash of Doha's Finest: Mancini's Sadd aim to close the gap as Round 10 kicks off
21 November 2025
Round 10 Preview and Standings
The second day of Round 10 in the Doha Bank Qatar Stars League features two important fixtures: Al Sadd welcome Al-Sailiya at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, while Umm Salal host Al Rayyan at Al Khor Stadium.
Sadd sit sixth with 14 points, gleaned from four wins and two draws, while Al-Sailiya sit tenth on seven points from two wins and a draw.
Umm Salal occupy 11th place with six points, and Al Rayyan, buoyed by last round’s victory, stand fourth with 16 points.
Recent league results saw Sadd decisively defeat Rayyan 5-1, Umm Salal suffer a heavy 5-0 loss to Shamal, and Al-Sailiya fall 2-1 to Al-Ahli.
In a pre-match press conference, Italian coach Roberto Mancini called the encounter with Al-Sailiya strong and difficult, noting, “The next match is always the hardest one. It’s crucial we win to close the gap at the top.”
Quotes, Mood, and Key Moments
Mirghani Al-Zein, Al-Sailiya’s coach, echoed the challenge, pointing to Sadd’s quality and the need to bring a sharp performance after the latest fixtures.
Asad, a Sadd player, stressed the importance of taking every remaining game as a final to stay in title contention, while Mancini has introduced clear training changes as his side targets glory with a fresh approach.
Diego Amaro, representing Al-Sailiya, insisted the squad will fight with high motivation, highlighting the group’s cohesion and their ability to turn tough situations around, citing the late comeback against Duhail as proof of character.
Patrice Carteron, Umm Salal’s coach, warned that facing Rayyan will be a stern test but insisted his players are ready to compete at a high level, provided they maintain focus and discipline.
Meanwhile, Abdulrahman Fayez of Umm Salal affirmed the team’s ambition to reclaim momentum with a points haul against a strong opponent, underscoring a positive locker room mood.
The Round 10 slate also sees Al-Gharafa vs. Al-Wakrah at Al Thani Stadium, with Gharafa leading the table on 22 points and Al-Wakrah sitting fifth on 15. Duhail vs. Al-Ahli will unfold at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, as Duhail occupy eighth with 12 points and Al-Ahli ninth with 9.
Round 10 also carries the message that results can flip quickly: a good run now could transform standings, while a stumble can snowball into trouble—football, after all, is a mood ring you wear on your feet. Punchline time: If football were a dessert, this league would be tiramisu—tasty, layered, and best enjoyed with a little patience. And remember, the next game is always the hardest… unless your team’s pizza is delivered early.
