PIctures from the QSL launch ceremony which was held at Hotel Sherton in Doha yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil
By Sports Reporter/Doha
The new season of the Qatar Stars League was launched here yesterday, in what promises to be one of the most exciting years of the competition.
The Sheraton hotel’s Dafna hall was buzzing with activity yesterday as the players, officials and organisers converged to flag-off the QSL season, which is set to kick off this Friday.
As expected all eyes were on legendary midfielder Xavi Hernandez, who signed a three-year contract with Al Sadd this year. The central midfielder, 35, left Spanish giants Barcelona after 24 years on the club’s books to join the Qatari side and will be a centre figure not just for Al Sadd but also for the QSL.
Xavi was delighted with reception he has received from the Qatari people and said he can’t wait to play in the league.
“It has been amazing how I have been treated here. I have been accorded a warm reception by everyone in Qatar, and they have looked after me so well. Now it’s for me to give joy to the people of Qatar in the football field,” he said.
Xavi, a World Cup winner with Spain, has also clinched mind-blowing 24 trophies with Barcelona, including three Champions League and eight league titles. But his thirst for trophies is still unquenchable as he has set his eyes on winning the QSL for Al Sadd.
“I think we will have a strong season, I think we will win many titles. I have won many things in Spain and Europe and I want to do the same here. I hope the fans will be happy with my performances and I look forward to learning a lot about Qatar and it’s culture during my time here. This is a good league with tough opponents,” the legend said.
Meanwhile, champions Lekhwiya’s Nam Tae-Hee said his team was up for the challenge and is gunning for the third successive title and fifth in six years. “We know how to win the title. We have been there and done that consistently over the last five years. I want to win again and the team will give everything I can assure you that,” the South Korean noted.
The launch event, which kicked off with a special three-minute video, highlighting the main moments the domestic league and the Qatar National Team, saw a player from all 14 teams sharing the podium and giving their insight into the preparations for the new year.
The focus was on two newly-promoted sides to the QSL - Al Rayyan and Mesaimeer, who were given a special mention for their achievement. Rayyan’s Sergio Garcia though didn’t call his team as one of the contenders but he promised to win ‘something’ for sure.
“I am very happy to be competing and playing in the QSL, as my compatriot Xavi said, this is a strong league, I think Rayyan is a great team with a big history and I think we will win something for sure. We want to put the put the smile back on the face of our supporters,” the Spaniard said.
Al Arabi’s new recruit Rod Fanni, who joined Qatari side on free transfer after his contract ended at French club, said he has gelled well with the team. “I found the overseas training camp very useful, I had to quickly adapt to the football style of Qatar. As a team we did very well with our new coach (Gianfranco Zola), who has plenty of positive energy and understanding of the game,” the French right-back said.
Fanni added that Al Arabi’s desire to build their future dream team to be able to compete with the top sides in the league was what encouraged him to join them.
Al Kharaitiyat’s Moroccan Anwar Diba is back after being sidelined for two years and he hoped he can play at his best. Diba travelled to Slovenia in August with the team for their overseas pre-season training camp, during which time, the team played four friendly games.
“As you know I was absent for almost two years, but thank God I am back now and hopefully can be at the same level as before, the teams all look to have bought well and I can’t wait to get back into the swing of things,” Diba said.
Meanwhile, new entrant Mesaimeer‘s Rafael Amorim said his club’s main aim is to compete and stay in the QSL. “Our aim is not to get relegated, we know that we cannot be expected to compete for the top positions. But we will do our best to play to our full potential,” he said.
The opening match of the QSL will be between Al Rayyan and Al Sailiya at Al Sadd stadium at 6pm, after which Al Khor will host Umm Salal 8:15pm.