Doha: Al Sailiya has comfortably enjoyed mid-table mediocrity over the last few seasons in the Qatar Stars League.
They certainly expected to build on this as they bolstered their ranks ahead of the 2015/2016 season after enjoying a season filled with mixed fortunes.
Experienced European talent in Dragos Grigore and Raoul Loé were key figures among those who pushed Al Sailiya into the top-four, after joining the Peregrines from Toulouse and Osasuna respectively.
Sailiya started the new season on the back foot with two 4-0 defeats at the hands of Al Rayyan and El Jaish.
Their first six games took on the four sides who finished in the top-five of the QSL, and this was reflected in only two wins against lower opposition in Meisameer and Al Wakrah. The Peregrines began to look towards the relegation zone.
In late November, Sami Trabelsi’s side turned a corner and registered four back to back wins, including the impressive 5-0 win over Qatar SC, along with shock wins over Al Sadd (2-1) and Al Arabi (2-0).
The squad seemed to find their stride under the Tunisian and prepared for a big push for the top 4 places going into the second half of the season.
Striker Faouzi Aaish was the main man for Sailiya this term.
The Bahraini international notched 14 goals and his first ever hat-trick for the club in the 5-0 defeat of Qatar SC underlined the importance that the fiery attacker had for the club.
Moral boosting wins over Meisameer (3-1) and a last gasp 3-2 win over Lekhwiya was enough to convince the Sailiya hierarchy to tie Sami Trabelsi to a new long term contract.
The Tunisian tactician confirmed his status as the longest serving QSL manager by signing a three year deal in February.
Two solid 2-1 victories against Al Kharaitiyat and Al Ahli should have set up a grandstand push for the top four with five QSL games to play.
However just picking five points from a possible fifteen available left Al Sailiya finishing in seventh place in the QSL standings, eight points away from fourth placed Lekhwiya.
Sami Trabelsi can draw plenty of positives from this term.
The team has played good football beating some of the best sides in the QSL and more consistency from them could see them challenge for the top four spots again next term.
The Peninsula
