It is difficult to believe that it took Al Rayyan 21 years to win their eighth league title, but now that it’s all done and dusted, there’s little doubt that it augurs well for club football in Qatar as far as the future is concerned.
The Lions, who have a large fan following, also made a statement in the manner they put behind them the misery of these long frustrating years during which they missed out on the most coveted title in the country, sometimes by the proverbial whisker. Their title came with five matches to spare, a tremendous achievement considering the fact that barely two years ago they had to put up with the humiliation of relegation and bounced back into the top flight this season after winning the first division championship.
The credit for their remarkable turnaround goes largely to Jorge Fossati, their Uruguayan coach. Acknowledged as a shrewd tactician, Fossati, who has had a brief but successful stint as the Qatar national team coach between 2007 and 2008, once again proved that despite his advancing age – he is 63 now – there are few in the business especially in the region wo can match his enthusiasm and commitment.
The former Uruguay coach, who led Al Sadd to their famous Asian Champions League crown in 2011, is so devoted to the cause of the team he is in charge of that it shows on the field. During Al Rayyan’s Qatar Stars League match against Al Wakrah on Saturday, he was all too pumped up as his players went on a goal-scoring spree.
At one point in the match, Al Rayyan were leading 5-0 with the title almost wrapped up. But late in the match, Al Wakrah scored their only goal to make it 5-1. Any other coach probably would not have probably minded, but Fossati was furious at his defenders for conceding the goal and made his anger obvious with his expressions and gestures, not to mention a few expletives in Spanish.
The South American flavour in the Al Rayyan team could not be missed. Brazilian Rodrigo Tabata made the QSL all his own by scoring the most goals this season (he has 18 so far) besides donning the captain’s mantle with great responsibility.
He was ably supported by Sebastian Soria, the Uruguay-born striker who plays for Qatar. After a few seasons with Lekhwiya and before that Qatar Sports Club, there was some uncertainty concerning Soria’s club future in Qatar but it was Fossati who reportedly took him under his wings at Al Rayyan and restored his confidence.
Soria answered his critics by scoring 10 goals for Al Rayyan in the QSL, three behind their third vital cog in the wheel, Sergio Garcia.
While there is no doubt the trio would add to their tally during the remaining five matches in the QSL, Al Rayyan would be fancying their chances in the Qatar Cup and the Emir Cup. And considering the way they dominated the league, there’s no doubt they would be the favourites to win them too.