Dominant Al Hilal

Reigning champions Al Hilal romped to the top of the league table with dominant displays, going unbeaten for the entirety of the first half of the season. Testament to their strength is the fact Al Hilal spent eight matchweeks of the first 13 in the top spot.

The 2017 AFC Champions League finalists went into the mid-season break four points clear of runners-up Al Ahli. Al Nassr came third while the dark horses of the season so far were Al Faisaly, who continue to push their limits, dislodging Al Ittihad off fourth place to break Saudi Arabia’s traditional top four.

New era, old habits

Last summer, the QSL witnessed an overhaul when five-time champions Lekhwiya merged with El Jaish to form a new club; Al Duhail. The new entity heavily resembled the former and as the season began, it was clear that their winning ways would remain the same even in a new era.

At the end of the first half of the competition, Al Duhail led the standings without losing a game. Djamel Belmadi's men have been in imperious form during the first half of the season, scoring 40 goals in their 11 games and racking up 29 points out of a possible 33.

Al Hilal’s margin at the top of the league table erodes to just two points following Al Ahli’s win over Al Batin on Friday to set up an exciting second half to the season. Two-time Asian champions Al Ittihad remain in contention for a 2019 AFC Champions League spot with 24 points to their name in fifth place.

The hosts’ fortunes suffered a major blow early on when 2017 Asian Player of the Year Omar Khrbin was stretched off inside the opening 10 minutes with an ankle injury, and former Al Ittihad striker Mokhtar Fallatah replaced him.

Al Ittihad created multiple chances on the counter, utilising the space behind the Al Hilal defence. Striker Ahmed Akaichi was sent through on goal on two occasions, but was first denied by a last-ditch tackle from Mohamed Jahfali, then by goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.

Al Hilal’s first clear sight of goal came 20 minutes into the match when another former Al Ittihad forward, Gelmin Rivas, outjumped his marker to meet Fallatah’s cross, but the Venezuelan’s header sailed wide of Fawaz Al Qarni’s goal.

Ziyad Al Sahafi tested Al Habsi with a powerful header and Rivas responded with a long-range effort but the two goalkeepers were in top form, ensuring the first 45 minutes ended goalless.

The Tigers thought they had found a breakthrough when Fahad Al Muwallad squared for Akaichi at the far post, but the Tunisian fluffed his lines with the ball at his feet two yards from Al Habsi’s empty net.

Khrbin’s injury looked a blessing in disguise as the deadlock was finally broken through substitute Fallatah. The striker met Abdullah Otayf’s diagonal cross with a diving header to put Al Hilal ahead 10 minutes into the second half.

Kuwaiti international Fahad Al Ansari restored parity within six minutes, firing low from 30 yards out. The midfielder’s strike was deflected off Jahfali to wrongfoot Al Habsi.

There was late controversy when Mohamed Kanno’s thumping header from the corner kick forced goalkeeper Al Qatni into a top-drawer reflex save. Al Hilal players argued the ball had crossed the line, but to no avail as the referee waved play on and the score remained tied at 1-1 at the final whistle.

Fine Margins at the Top

Following a strong start to the season by Al Wahda, under 2014 AFC Champions League finalist coach Laurentiu Reghecampf, it was Al Ain and Al Wasl who went neck and neck for the remainder of the first half of the season, trading places at the top two spots.

Ultimately, with 11 matchweeks of the season completed, there was very little to separate the two, as both the Cheetahs and the Boss remained unbeaten, boasting an identical record of seven wins and four draws to reach the midway point of the league season with 25 points each. 

The title contenders had started the season with 2-2 draw at Al Ain’s Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, meaning it’s Al Wasl who were crowned ‘Winter Champions’ courtesy of their two away goals.

Going Under