Al Arabi, who finished in seventh place in the last QNB Stars League battle, are seeking a positive start to the new season next month. To counter their dwindling fortunes from the previous season, Al Arabi have made considerable changes to their line-up and will be aiming for consistency when the QNB Stars League season starts on August 4.
Close to the end of last season, Al Arabi were near the relegation zone but a few important wins in the last few rounds saw the side retain their place for the 2018-19 season. For starters Al Arabi will have coach Luka Bonancic for the entire season and it will be his task to bring consistency in the team’s performances.
Clearly Al Arabi management have shown confidence by giving full control of the side to Bonacic.
Kwame Karikari of Ghana, Saad Nateq of Iraq and Diego Jardel of Brazil are the heavyweights in the Al Arabi ranks who will be expected to deliver in the new season. Jardel, the inspiration in the midfield, clearly has promises to keep from the last season. Defender Ahmed Saleh of Syria and Mudir Abdurabu of Yemen will join new signing Colombian striker Franco Arizala to add muscle to Al Arabi forward line. The Al Arabi think-tank did not ignore homegrown players with the signing of defender Ahmed al-Nahawi, goalkeeper Sheet Abbasi, Fahad Khalfan and Mohamed Salah El Neel. The pre-season training of Al Arabi kicked off on July 5 and runs until the 22nd of this month. 
The 17-day warm-up period is a decent period of time for Al Arabi to regroup and launch and all-out attack on their rivals.


Al Khor aim high
Al Khor, who finished eighth in the last QNB Stars League season, are aiming high in the new season that kicks off in the first week of August. Last season, Al Khor won only seven matches and lost 12 games to finish just above Al Ahli, Qatar SC, Al Kharaitiyat and Markhiya in the QNB Stars League standings.
This year coach Adel al-Sulaimi will be working at feverish pace to set the tone ahead of the new season which is just a few weeks away. Among the changes that have taken place, Al Khor have brought in al-Sulaimi as the coach. Al-Sulaimi will lead the team following the departure of coach Nassif al-Bayawi, who has joined Al Kharaitiyat.
Al Sulaimi will be eager to see Al Khor occupy a good position in the rankings early in the season. A powerful player roster is there for Al Khor to seek positive results. Al Khor have roped in experienced Rebin Sulaka to beef up their backline while completing a deal with Mohamed Ahmed Bugshan from Al Shamal Club.
Sulaka, a Swedish Iraqi player, is one of the tallest members of the side at 1.93 metres. A strong defence and centre will be one of the targets for coach al-Sulaimi.
Al Khor are currently training in the Netherlands to prepare for the new season. Coach al-Sulaimi will be busy working on his starting line-up for the season’s first game. Al Khor take on Al Arabi on August 4 in first match.






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