Doha: Al Arabi and Al Sailiya will be looking to enter the top four in the QNB Stars League (QSL) when the competitive action begins on July 24.
Clubs are continuing their preparations ahead of the resumption of the QSL, with all set for the kick off of the Week 18 matches.
Al Arabi are gearing up for the remainder of the season under Icelandic coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and they will play Al Gharafa at the Al Janoub Stadium on the day of QSL resumption. The kickoff is at 16:45.
Al Arabi are fifth in the league standings, behind Al Duhail, Al Rayyan, Al Sadd and Al Gharafa in that order, with 24 points. The Dream Team have six wins, as many draws and five defeats against their name.
Their goal difference is +3 (27 goals for and 24 against). Meanwhile, Al Sailiya, placed sixth in the standings with 23 points under Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi, will play Al Wakrah in their next match at the Al Janoub Stadium on July 26. The kick-off is at 16:45. The Peregrines have recorded seven wins, two draws and eight defeats, and their goal difference is -3, having scored 19 goals and conceded 22.
They have recorded seven wins, two draws and eight defeats, and their goal difference is -3, having scored 19 goals and conceded 22. Al Sailiya had lost 1-2 to table toppers Al Duhail in Week 17 on March 7 before the long break.
Trabelsi’s squad still nurtures high hopes of ending up in the top-four bracket and thereby playing in the Qatar Cup and AFC Champions League, just like they did last season when they secured a thirdplace finish, their best-ever performance in the league.
Following the coronavirus tests, held as per the protocol developed by the QSL in co-ordination with club authorities and approved by the Ministry of Public Health, both teams entered their team hotels and got engaged in training under a bubble. With only seven rounds remaining, the football fans, despite not being allowed to watch live action inside the stadiums, will be in for a treat as the teams try to give their best for a fop four finish.
