Al Sadd's players during a training session ahead of their QSL game against Al Khor
After heartbreaks at the AFC Champions League, Qatar’s football giants Al Sadd and Al Duhail will switch focus back to the second biggest challenge of the season – the QNB Stars League (QSL) - which resumes tomorrow after a month’s break. Reigning QSL champions Al Duhail failed to reach the knock-out stage of the premier continental event, while Al Sadd bowed out of the contest when they lost 0-1 to Iran’s Persepolis in the Round of 16 stage last month. Both Al Duhail and Al Sadd, who will be seen in action tomorrow, will focus on top performance in the QSL looking to give cheers to their die-hard fans.
Al Duhail will be eyeing to bounce back in the QSL after a shaky start to their title defence when they take on Qatar SC on their home turf, tomorrow. The Red Knights, having played a game less due to their AFC Champions League commitment, are placed seventh in the table with three points.
They beat Umm Salal 3-0 in the opening round but suffered a shock in Week 2 as they lost 0-1 to Al Wakrah. Qatar SC – placed eighth with three points – will be looking to continue their form after shocking last season’s runners-up Al Rayyan 1-0 before the league took a break on September 13. Coached by former Qatar Younis Ali, The Kings had previously lost 0-2 to Al Gharafa and 1-2 to Al Kharaitiyat. Tomorrow’s second match will see Al Sadd taking on Al Khor at Al Khor Stadium.
Al Sadd are second with six points and an all-win record even though they have played one game less as their high profile fixture against holders Al Duhail in Week 3 was postponed. Wednesday’s training for Al Khor game witnessed Al Sadd’s international players joining the squad after the end of their national team commitments including a friendly against Ghana in Turkey on Monday. The coaching staff, led by Xavi Hernandez, was keen on using Wednesday’s session to work on tactical aspects, with a focus on attacking moves.
Meanwhile, Al Khor are 10th in the table with two points that they collected from their drawn encounters with Al Arabi (2-2) and Umm Salal (goalless). The Knights, who have Frenchman Hantz Frederic as their new coach, had lost 0-1 to Al Ahli in Week 3. Al Ahli are leading the points table with three wins from as many matches.
