Newly promoted Lusail will begin their first Doha Bank Stars League campaign, determined to prove they belong among Qatar’s elite when they face title contenders Al Rayyan today.
The opening-round match at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, kicking off at 7.30pm, marks a historic occasion for Lusail after the club won the Second Division shield last season and secured promotion to the top flight for the first time. Head coach Emanuel Mesquita said the achievement had created excitement, but insisted the newcomers were not entering the league merely to make up the numbers.
“We are extremely happy to be among the best teams in Qatar and to have the opportunity to compete against them,” the Portuguese coach said at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. “We are very excited to begin the campaign and show what we are capable of.”
Mesquita acknowledged the scale of Lusail’s first test, describing Al Rayyan as regular challengers for the championship. However, he said his side had avoided changing its approach or allowing the opposition’s stature to disrupt preparations. “We are very excited to start the league against Al Rayyan. It is a very difficult match, as everyone knows,” he said. “Al Rayyan are contenders and candidates to win the title every year.”
The coach added that Lusail had prepared for the fixture in the same disciplined manner used throughout pre-season. “We did not do anything special regarding Al Rayyan,” Mesquita explained. “We followed our usual preparation for every match. We paid attention to what they do and what we know about them, and we tried to prepare in the best way possible so we can perform at our highest level.”
That measured approach reflects a team seeking to balance the emotion of a landmark debut with the practical demands of facing one of Qatar’s established football powers.
Lusail media officer Saud al-Mudahka said the club had worked hard to reach this stage, with a series of friendly matches helping the players build readiness and confidence ahead of the new campaign. “We worked hard to reach this point and played many friendly matches,” al-Mudahka said. “The first match against Al Rayyan will be very difficult, but there is confidence between the players and the coach to select a good squad and make a strong debut for the fans and everyone at Lusail.”
For Lusail, today’s encounter represents more than an opening fixture. It is the first opportunity to translate last season’s success into a statement at the highest level. Mesquita said the club’s objective was clear: “Now that we have reached the Doha Bank Stars League, we want to prove to everyone that we deserve to be here and compete among the best.”
