DOHA: Al Markhiya have launched the new Qatargas League season by beating Al Sailiyah. Libyan import Akram Al Zwai scored the match-winning goal in the 20th minute at Al Gharafa Stadium. Both teams exhibited quality moves as players traded attacks on a regular basis. The second half was particularly strong for both sides but Al Markhiya produced the slick finish for first points of the season. In a bizarre finish, Al Shamal crushed Al Arab 4-0 with the game ending in the 53rd minute. The losers saw four of their players getting injured and with not enough replacements available, the game was abandoned. Topaz two goals while Ali and Ben managed one each for Al Shamal. On Saturday, Al Ahli will take on Al Khuraitiyat, while Qatar SC face Umm Salal. Qatar SC, deemed a traditional staple of Qatari football since the 1970s, last year suffered a surprising relegation for the first first time in the history of the Doha based club.