Sport
Rayyan to start season against Sailiya today
Defending champions Al Sadd to play first league match against Qatar SC on Saturday
August 13, 2025 | 11:40 PM
The Qatar Stars League (QSL) is all set for a grand kick-off today, unveiling the arrival of many new stars in the squads of the twelve teams as they look to do battle once again with some spectacles set to light up the pitch again.Al Rayyan will meet Al Sailiya in the first match of the opening day at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium at 6.30pm today, while defending champions Al Sadd will open against Qatar SC at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday at 8.30pm.Among the marquee signings during the transfer window have been the arrivals of Brazilian Roberto Firmino from Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli, Spanish midfielder Pau Prim from Barcelona, and Uruguayan midfielder Agustín Soria – all for Al Sadd. Al Duhail have already welcomed Brazilian Lucas Silva Melo ‘Tuta’, Polish striker Krzysztof Piatek and Algerian star Adel Boulbina.Al Arabi have acquired Spanish defender Javier Hernandez from Spanish club Leganes, and Jordan Veretout from Olympique Lyonnais; Al Wakrah have signed Moroccan defender Amin Zahzouh and Spanish striker Raúl de Tomas from Rayo Vallecano; Al Rayyan have signed Brazilian midfielder Gregory da Silva from Brazil’s Botafogo; Umm Salal have included Moroccan defender Adil Tahif from RS Berkane; Al Ahli have brought in Moroccan defender Ayoub Amraoui from OGC Nice; while Al Gharafa have bagged Mason Holgate from Everton.These are among the many more new players in the QSL teams to add to the previously playing overseas stars. There are also many new coaches with the much experienced Djamel Belmadi now guiding Al Duhail.Al Rayyan, under Portuguese coach Artur Jorge, aims for a robust start. This is particularly relevant following the recent enhancements to their roster, including Brazilian midfielder Gregory da Silva, goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada and defender Bahaa Ellethy."The start is always tough, but I’m very pleased with the team’s performance during the training camp. Everyone is ready for the league opener, and our goal is clear — securing the three points for a strong start,” Jorge said Wednesday.The team features several prominent players, especially last season’s league top scorer Roger Guedes, who is expected to play a crucial role for Al Rayyan this time as well."Everyone is ready except for Amid Mahajna and Rodrigo Moreno. The training camp was wonderful, as we worked for 21 days. It was an important period for us to develop the team and integrate the new players.We only missed the international players during this training camp, as they joined in the last three days, especially the new players,” Jorge said.Al Sailiya, the newly-promoted Second Division champions, approach the match under coach Mirghani al-Zain and are eager to establish their presence.They have bolstered their line-up with notable talents, including Norwegian Mathias Normann, Dutchman Kylian van der Vaart, Tunisian Youssef Snana and Argentinian defender Matias Nani, and they are looking to catch their hosts off guard right from the start. Speaking on eve of the clash, al-Zain said: "Our preparations are good and we aspire to present an image that reflects the team’s ability to compete this season. We realise that the match will not be easy, but we will strive to deliver a performance worthy of Al Sailiya club.”Al Shamal play Al Ahli at the Khalifa International Stadium today at 8.30pm, while Al Arabi take on Al Wakrah at the Al Thumama Stadium at 6.30pm on Friday. Last season’s runners-up Al Duhail will meet Al Shahania at 6.30pm at Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.Al Gharafa and Umm Salal will match up at Al Bayt Stadium at 8.30pm on Friday. Al Sadd, guided by Spaniard Felix Sanchez, aim to initiate the season robustly. The Wolves triumphed in the Al Ahrar Cup by beating Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca in a penalty shoot-out 5-4 following a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time.Qatar SC are expected to be a formidable adversary considering the preparedness of the majority of their players.They are eager to deliver a commendable performance against Al Sadd under new coach Marquez Lopez, the former Al Wakrah coach, who has enjoyed significant success with the Qatar national team, steering Al Annabi to triumph in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.Recently, The Kings bolstered their line-up with several new additions, most notably Senegalese Serigne Diouf, Comoros player Faiz Selemani, Argentinian defender Francesco Russo, Czech midfielder Lukas Kalvach, Brazilian striker Joao Pedro and Qatar our national team striker Ahmed Al Rawi.Al Duhail, who on Tuesday made it to the AFC Champions League Elite beating Iran’s Sepahan FC 3-2 will look to start the league strongly against Al Shahania, who will approach the match with Spanish coach Santi Denia at the helm, who previously managed the Spanish U-21 national team and has officially signed a two-year contract.His objective is to secure a favourable outcome against the formidable title contenders.Al Shahania recognise the challenges posed by a strong and talented opponent, yet they are relying on new signings such as Spaniard Alvaro Sanz Catalan and defender Jawad El Jemili to achieve a positive result that will bolster their confidence in the weeks ahead.
August 13, 2025 | 11:40 PM