The QNB Stars League Week 1 fixtures on Saturday, 4th August, are Al Gharafa vs Qatar SC (Al Sadd Stadium, 17:35), Al Arabi vs Al Khor (17:35) and Al Sailiya vs Umm Salal (19:45), both Khalifa International Stadium).
Al Gharafa vs Qatar SC
Al Gharafa, who finished fourth last season, would look for a good performance this season as well. And for that, they need to make a winning start to their campaign as they take on Qatar SC, who ended up 10th last time.
Al Gharafa are under new coach Christian Gourcuff and have the likes of Dutch star Wesley Sneijder, Iranian Mehdi Taremi and Slovenian Vladimir Weiss in their ranks.
Qatar SC, coached by Abdullah Mubarak, have new recruits Hussein Ali, Alaeddin Al Dali and Brazilian Dodo in the company of Osama Omari as overseas players.
Al Arabi vs Al Khor
Al Arabi overcame first-phase slump and finished a creditable seventh last season, thanks to Croatian coach Luka Bonacic’s damage-control exercises.
The Dream Team have recruited three new professionals — Iraqi Ahmed Ibrahim, Brazilian Mailson de Farias and Colombian Franco.
Al Khor are under a new coach — Tunisian Adel Sellimi who replaced compatriot Nassif Al Bayawi when the latter left for Al Kharaitiyat. They mainly have Iraqis Ahmed Yasin and Rebin Sulaka, as well as Brazil’s Diego Oksta and Gabon’s Ulysse Nadong to deliver the goods.
Al Sailiya vs Umm Salal
The clash between Al Sailiya and Umm Salal will evoke keen interest among the fans.
Al Sailiya were in the fourth place for most part of last season, but were pushed behind by Umm Salal in the fight for the fifth spot. In fact, The Orange Fortress were very much in the race for the fourth position, which they lost to Al Gharafa.
Al Sailiya retained the services of Algerian Nadir Belhadj and signed Moroccan striker Rachid Tiberkanine from Al Kharaitiyat.
Umm Salal have kept Ivorian Yannick Sagbo, Syrian Mahmoud Mawas and Moroccan Adel Rhaili on their roster while adding Nigerian striker Christian Osaguona.
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