Lekhwiya players celebrate with the Falcon Shield after their last QSL match against Al Shahania on Saturday at Lekhwiya Stadium.
Five-time Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Lekhwiya, celebrated their title coronation on Saturday evening with a 2-2 draw with Al Shahania.
On the sidelines of the celebrations, players of the side were basking in glory insisting that the QSL falcon shield is just the start of the trophy run for the Red Knights as they come into the business end of the 2016/ 2017 season.
Edgar Da Silva may have only played a handful of games for Lekhwiya, replacing injured top scorer Yusef El Arabi for the final games of the campaign. However, the Brazilian attacker was grateful for the chance to play with the side.
“I have had a great time at Lekhwiya, all the players have been joking with me that I play a few games and I become a champion. I am trying my best at the club, and added two goals to the championship and I am so happy to be with the team.”
“Our objective is to add to the trophy that we have. We have chances now in the cups and in the AFC Champions League and if we work hard we will be lifting more trophies this season” added the striker.
Qatari winger Ismael Mohammed has enjoyed another strong season for the Red Knights, suggesting that the Lekhwiya squad did well to cover for the absentees of key players over the season.
“We had a target to win the league and we have achieved this. We were under pressure till the very end and did well to win the title despite missing key players. After the league we have to take on the cups and we are ready for them, this is our plan now. I am now ready for everything.”
“I tried to beat Xavi’s assist record, I am lucky to be battling with such a top player for this honor. I will be targeting to beat him next season now, god willing” added the winger who notched up 15 assists over the course of the season.
Chico Flores picked up his second ever QSL falcon shield on Saturday evening. The Spanish defender suggested that Lekhwiya’s fifth ever QSL crown will go down in the history books as the finest title win for the Red Knights.
“I am happy for all of the players and staff at the club. This is an important trophy in the history of Lekhwiya club.”
Flores also noted that Lekhwiya’s triumph was down to winning the big games against their title rivals.
“It’s been a difficult season with Al Sadd, who has a good season. We have only lost one game and I think in the big matches we proved that we deserve to win the title. For me, I am now recovering from injury and I am hoping to take part in the Cup competitions for the side.”
Meanwhile, Lekhwiya’s CEO Adnan Al Ali has hailed the Red Knights fifth QSL falcon.
“I would like to thank the players and coaching staff on this historic achievement. This season has been a real battle with Al Sadd for the title, and thank God we battled to the very end to lift the title,” said the Lekhwiya chief
“This is just the first trophy for us this season; we still have to compete in the Qatar Cup and Emir Cup along with still being in the AFC Champions League. We are now looking forward to lifting more tropies this season” added Al Ali on the sides ambitions after lifting the QSL falcon shield.
Reflecting on the season, Al Ali talked up the quality of the whole Lekhwiya squad who had to deal with a number of key absentees this season.
“This title win is special because everyone in the squad contributed. It was tough and we lost a number of players through injury, however we battled on and deservedly won the title.”
The Lekhwiya CEO was also eager to praise the effort of the club administration.
“The title is not only for the players, but also for the administration and coaching staff. They have worked so hard over the season, and this is reflected with our fifth ever title. Now we have to look forward and compete in the other trophies we are taking part in," he said.
