With the Qatar Football awards set to bring an end to the domestic football season on Saturday, here’s a look at the nominees for the Best Young Player of the Year and Best Coach of the Year awards.
Among the youngsters, the nominees include three stars of the Qatar U23 side that finished fourth in the AFC U23 Championship which was held in Qatar in January this year.
El Jaish midfielder Ahmed Moein enjoyed a fine Under 23 tournament taking part in all but one of Al Anabi’s games in the continental competition. The midfielder’s composed performances in the centre of convinced parent club El Jaish to recall him early from his loan at KAS Eupen.
Going into the second half of the season, Moein slowly began to make an impact in the side forcing him into contention. His hard work culminated in a Man of the Match performance in the Qatar Cup final as El Jaish edged out rivals Al Sadd 2-1.
Al Sadd’s tenacious midfielder Ali Asad also enjoyed a fine 2015-2016 season. The 23-year-old was ever present for the Qatar U23 side in the AFC championships taking part in all seven games of the tournament. Whilst also gaining caps for Qatar at full international level.
Domestically, Asad has been learning his trade with one of the best midfielders in the game — Xavi. Asad made a total of nineteen appearances for the Wolves this season and is expected to have a starting place ahead of the Emir Cup final against Lekhwiya tomorrow evening.
Al Sadd left-back Abdulkarim Hassin is the third player who has been nominated for the best Under 23 award. The defender has represented Qatar both at the AFC Under 23 championships on home soil, registering an impressive four goals for his side in the competition. In domestic competitions, Hassin has been a regular choice for his side at left-back as Al Sadd finished in third place in the QSL standings.
Perhaps the biggest highlight for the defender was his last-gasp winner for his side as they defeated Lekhwiya 3-2 in the QSL. He will be hoping for similar luck when Al Sadd takes on Lekhwiya in the Emir Cup final tomorrow.
FOSSATI LEADS COACHES
NOMINATIONS
Uruguayan tactician Jorge Fossati leads the nominations among the coaches.
Al Rayyan head coach was hired in the summer as the Lions looked to finish in the top four after getting promoted from Qatargas League.
Fossati immediately had an impact on the side and led them to a record-breaking winning streak of eleven games, including a 9-0 mauling of Qatar SC.
A 1-2 defeat to bitter rivals Al Sadd in the Qatar Clasico didn’t destabilise Fossati and his side went on to post another nine-game winning streak, which culminated in Al Rayyan lifting the Qatar Stars League title for the first time in 21 years with five rounds to play.
Under Fossati, Al Rayyan has enjoyed a memorable season of free flowing football with plenty of goals.
El Jaish’s head coach Sabri Lamouchi has also been nominated after enjoying a fine season with the soldiers. The former Inter Milan player has guided Jaish to their joint highest finish in the QSL claiming second place, and also delivered the Qatar Cup this term.
Jaish have been one of the most consistent sides in the QSL this season, and this has also reflected in their commanding performances in the AFC Champions League, where they look set to be in the quarter-finals following their 4-0 victory over rivals Lekhwiya. Whilst Jaish also swept aside Lekhwiya in the Qatar Cup final 2-1 to pick up the coveted title at the end of April, for the second time in their history.
Qatari tactician Yusef Adam has been nominated for the fantastic job he did towards the end of the season with Al Ahli.
The former Qatari international was asked to be a caretaker manager of Ahli in January, following the dismissal of Zlatko Kranjcar.
In the remaining ten games of the season, Ahli only lost twice and a five-game winning streak pushed them from relegation contenders to a comfortable sixth-placed finish. Fine victories over the likes of Al Rayyan and Lekhwiya highlighted Adam’s tactical nous and drastically improved the fortunes of a struggling side.