18 goals ignite the start of the Qatar League

The opening round of the Doha Stars League for the 2026-2027 season was packed with excitement, witnessing 18 goals scored across six matches – an average of three goals per game – an early indication of the fierce attacking competition expected in the new season. The round saw no goalless draws, while two matches ended in 2-2 draws, and four clubs secured victories and three points. Al Sadd established themselves early at the top of the standings after achieving the most notable victory of the round, defeating Al Ahli 3-1. The defending champions sent a clear message of their desire to retain the title for the fourth consecutive season and extend their record as the most successful club in the league's history. Al Duhail came in second on goal difference after their 2-0 win over Al Sailiya, while Al Gharafa secured third place with a 2-1 victory over Al Shahaniya. Al Rayyan finished fourth after a 1-0 win against Lusail. Meanwhile, the matches between Al Wakrah and Qatar SC, and Al Arabi and Al Shamal, both ended in 2-2 draws, with each team earning a point in their opening matches. Regarding penalties, the round saw four kicks awarded, with players converting three and missing one. Amin Zahzouh scored for Al Wakrah against Qatar SC, and Francesco Antonucci converted for Al Shahaniya against Al Gharafa. Eric Hernandez scored Al Ahli's goal from the penalty spot against Al Sadd, while Giovanni Henrique missed his penalty for Al Sadd in the same match. The round also saw 28 yellow cards issued, in addition to two red cards, both shown to Lusail and Al Arabi coaches, Emanuel Mesquita and Cosmin Contra, respectively, for dissent. In terms of attacking efficiency, 10 teams managed to find the net, while Lusail and Al Sailiya failed to score in the first round, highlighting the need for them to improve their attacking play in upcoming matches. In the race for the Golden Boot, Al Gharafa's Frank Magri and Al Duhail's Edmilson Junior have emerged as frontrunners, each scoring two goals to share the top spot after the first round. The opening round's results point to a highly anticipated season, given the high scoring rate and closely contested matches, setting the stage for a fierce competition for the top spot and the Golden Boot in the coming rounds. The second round kicks off on Thursday with Al Gharafa facing Al Shamal and Al Wakrah taking on Al Rayyan. The action continues on Friday with Al Ahli playing Lusail and Qatar SC facing Al Sadd, before concluding on Saturday with Al Duhail playing Al Arabi and Al Shahaniya facing Al Sailiya.