Leading title contenders Al Sadd and Al Duhail will kick off their 2021-2022 season QNB Stars League (QSL) campaigns today, hoping to bag victories in their opening matches.
Reigning champions Al Sadd will begin their title defence against Al Sailiya at Al Gharafa Stadium while Al Duhail, who ended runners-up last season, will visit Al Khor Stadium to begin their quest for the Falcon Shield against the hosts.
Xavi Hernandez-coached Al Sadd enjoyed an unbeaten run last season, winning the 2020-2021 QSL with a big lead of 13 points.
“We are really excited and happy for the start of the new season. The resumption of the new league is always a sign of happiness,” Xavi told a press conference ahead of Al Sailya game.
“We won everything last season. This new season will be really difficult, but we will try our best to make all of our fans happy. We will try our best to win all the domestic titles,” said Xavi.
Coached by Tunisian Sami Trabelsi, Al Sailiya finished ninth in the last season but they showed their prowess by winning the Ooredoo Cup, their first major trophy.
“Al Sailiya are a very good team. Their coach Sami Trabelsi has been working at the club for many years. This is the reason for the good work done by Al Sailiya and it will be difficult to face him,” said Xavi.
Al Sailiya’s Trabelsi said: “Our goal is to present a special season. Al Sadd are one of the best teams on the Asian continent and no one disagrees with that, but in football everything is possible. The first match at the beginning of the new season is always difficult for all sides.”
Meanwhile, Al Duhail’s new coach Luis Castro said the first game of the season is always difficult and added the target is to collect full points from the opener.
“Playing the first match of the new season against Al Khor will be a difficult task. However, we are looking forward to this match. We want to collect three points,” the Portuguese coach, who replaced Frenchman Sabri Lamouchi, said.
Praising ‘strong’ Al Duhail squad, Castro said he was happy to be in Qatar hoping to guide ‘The Red Knights’ to many title wins.
“I am working on the team each day. I had the same attitude when I was with FC Shakhtar Donetsk (of Ukraine),” he said.
Meanwhile, Al Khor coach Winfried Schafer said: “We prepared well in the Turkey camp and here in our stadium. We know that Al Duhail are a strong team with outstanding players, but we will fight to win and get the three points. We are not afraid, as we will play in our stadium and among our fans.”
