The QNB Stars League is back today after a two-month break, which saw Qatar win the Asian Cup in the UAE in style, for the first time in their history. Umm Salal and Al Gharafa will open the week’s action, which will be followed by the big clash between Al Rayyan and Al Arabi.
Despite the long break in the QNB Stars League, the matches are sure to be cracking as teams are fresh from the preparations and will be going all out in their bid to gain good positions in the table. The Rayyan and Arabi match at the Al Sadd Stadium is arguably a contest between the most loyal and traditional fan base in Qatar. Rayyan are currently fourth in the standings with 27 points, while Al Arabi are sixth with 21 points. Rayyan and Arabi respectively have eight and seven Qatar League titles to their credit.
Rayyan are technically still in the title race. They would like to gear up for next week’s Qatar Clasico against Al Sadd with a victory. The Lions also have AFC Champions League engagement coming up.
Rayyan, under Turkish coach Bulent Uygun, have not made drastic changes to the squad during the winter transfer window. Lucca Borges, Gonzalo Viera and Koh Myong-Jin stayed as their overseas professionals, while Jonathan Menendez was replaced by Gelmin Javier Rivas. Uygun declared his team was ready for the match.
“It’s a derby and our team is ready. (Rodrigo) Tabata is suspended for this match. Sebastian (Soria) is suffering from an injury and we’re trying to provide a level worthy of Al Rayyan and Qatar football,” he said.
“We’ve brought in Rivas. He’s a good player and he’ll be a good addition to the team in the league and Asian competition that awaits our team. We know how to face Al Arabi and we know about the changes that have taken place in their ranks. We’ll miss some players, but we know Al Rayyan and his ability to provide strong matches. We’ve a good group of players and we’ll perform well,” Bulent added.
Al Arabi, who have a new coach in Heimir Hallgrimsson from Iceland, aspire to storm into the top-four bracket. They made their intentions clear by making a host of signings. The Dream Team offloaded Franco Hurtado and Mailson Farias even as Diego Jardel stayed. Hallgrimsson said: “We worked very hard over the past period and there’ve been some changes to the team through contracts and deals, and the preparation wasn’t just for Al Rayyan but for the rest of the season in general.”
“It’s an important match against Rayyan. It’s true that we’ve reinforced the side, but we’ve a good group of young players that we should care about, and with new players we need patience and time,” added Hallgrimsson.
Meanwhile, Umm Salal and Al Gharafa match, to be played at the Al Gharafa Stadium, is battle between the two mid-table teams. Gharafa are seventh with 18 points, whereas Umm Salal are breathing down their neck with one point less. The Orange Fortress are eighth and both sides are keen on finishing among the top four.
Salal have a new coach in Spaniard Raul Caneda, while Al Gharafa retained the services of Frenchman Christian Gourcuff. What makes the game more gripping is the fact that both teams are eager to break into the top four in QNB Stars League standings.
It may be recalled that Al had edged Umm Salal in the battle for the fourth position in the final round last season. Gharafa, who recently retained the QSL Cup by beating Al Duhail in the final, may miss the services of players such as injured Wesley Sneijder.
Fixtures
Today: Umm Salal vs Al Gharafa (17:50) at Al Gharafa Stadium; Al Rayyan vs Al Arabi (20:10) at Al Sadd Stadium
Tomorrow: Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Ahli (16:45) at Al Khor Stadium; Qatar SC vs Al Shahania (19:10) at Qatar SC Stadium
On Saturday: Al Duhail vs Al Sailiya (16:45) at Al Duhail Stadium and Al Sadd vs Al Khor (19:10) at Al Sadd Stadium
Al Arabi coach Heimir Hallgrimsson (left) and his Al Rayyan counterpart Bulent Uygun address a press conference ahead of their QNB Stars League.
