Fresh from their AFC Champions League exploits, Al Sadd will resume QNB Stars League duties with the season’s first ‘Qatar Clasico’ against Al Rayyan on Saturday. The match will be played at 5.55pm at Al Sadd Stadium.
Jesualdo Ferreira’s boys defeated Iran’s Esteghlal with a 5-3 aggregate on Monday to set up a two-legged semi-final clash with Persepolis in October, with the winners advancing to the final against an East Asian side.
Al Rayyan are on top of the standings with 11 points, while Al Sadd are a close second with 10 in the QNB Stars League standings.
Al Sadd had been topping the QNB Stars League standings right from the beginning of this season. But they slipped to second after Week 5 action that saw their game against Al Khor being rescheduled due to their AFC Champions League commitment.
Rayyan had surged to the top of the table with 11 points after their victory over Al Arabi last week. They will be keen on sustaining the momentum and staying there even though they have played one match more than Al Sadd and Al Duhail. Al Duhail will host Al Gharafa in another thriller.
Al Duhail’s Week 5 game against Al Sailiya was also rescheduled due to their AFC Champions League quarter-final second leg against Iran’s Persepolis, which they lost.
Al Duhail also have 10 points, the same as Al Sadd, but are third having scored lesser number of goals.
The Red Knights have the home advantage. However, Al Gharafa will look to be back on the winning path after suffering defeat at the hands of Umm Salal in Week 5.
Umm Salal will be eager to break into the top four when they face Al Kharaitiyat.
Umm Salal have the same number of points (seven) as Al Gharafa, but are placed seventh on goal difference.
The Thunders are the only team yet to earn a point and who lost all their matches.
Sixth-placed Al Sailiya are up against Al Ahli, who collected valuable three points against Al Kharaitiyat in the previous round.
Qatar SC take on Al Khor in another interesting clash.
Qatar SC have only one victory (against Al Gharafa in Week 1) to their credit and are 10th with three points, while Al Khor have not registered a win. Al Shahania meet Al Arabi in other action.
Al Sadd’s Spanish star Xavi in action during the AFC Champions League quarter-final against Esteghlal at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Monday.
