Article by Romeo Ene – Published on Monday, 27 April 2026 22:14 / Updated on Monday, 27 April 2026 22:14
Season finale in Qatar. Al Arabi, the formation prepared by Cosmin Contra (50 years old), lost away to Al-Rayyan, score 0-4, in round number 22, the last of the championship.
The Romanian team finished the season in 7th place, with 32 points, tied with Qatar SC, in 6th place. Cosmin Contra has been coaching Al Arabi since October 2025.
Al Arabi, Cosmin Contra's team, fail drastically at Al-Rayyan's ground
The hosts coached by Vicente Moreno opened the scoring in the 26th minute, through veteran Rodrigo (35 years old). They doubled their advantage through Roger Guedes in the 42nd minute, 2-0 being the half-time score.
After the break, Al-Rayyan scored twice more, through Ali (49th minute) and Wesley (71st minute).
Following this result, Al Arabi finished the season in 7th place with 32 points, while the opposition placed 3rd with 38 points, and will play in the Asian Champions League 2 qualifiers.
Contra did a good job at Arabi. The Romanian had a contract until the end of the season and had to save it from relegation. Now the deal expires in 2028. When he came the team was second to last in the standings.
Al Arabi recovered along the way and had no more emotions with the relegation. Cosmin Contra's record on Al Arabi's bench is as follows: 11 wins, four draws and four failures.
His team continues the season in the Emir Cup, where they will meet Al-Duhail away in the “quarters”. The game was scheduled for May 1.
Poli Timisoara, Getafe, Fuenlabrada, Petrolul, Guangzhou R&F, Alcorcon, Dinamo, the Romanian national team, Al-Ittihad, Damac and Al-Kholood are the clubs that Contra has coached throughout his career.
