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| Al Arabi players react after their win over Lekhwiya in the Sheikh Jassim Cup on Wednesday |
Mohamed Salem scored twice for Al Arabi (41, 90), Abdulaziz al-Sulaiti (63) and Ahmed Khalfan (65) added the other two.
In another match in Group A, Al Gharafa survived being two-goal behind before beating second division side Al Shammal 4-2. Tardelli (23, 68), Omar Mahmoud (11) and Yousif Ramadan (66) scored for the winners.
In Group B, Al Markhiya forced QSL giants into a goalless draw, while Al Kharaitiyat and Al Shahaniya registered a 1-1 draw.
Football fans in Doha can expect plenty of action and surprises as this competitive and physically demanding tournament has been devised to encourage youngsters to rub shoulders with the seniors in match play conditions.
The Qatar Stars League will begin September 15.
Meanwhile Al Sadd said they have approached Andrey Sergeyevich Arshavin.
Arshavin, who plays as a forward for Arsenal and as captain of the Russian national team, was reported to have been approached by Al Sadd. Jasim al-Rumaihi, secretary general of Al Sadd, said the club at no point contacted the Russian star.
He said whatever has been reported in the media is not true. In May, Al Sadd signed former Real Madrid great Raul for one year.
Meanwhile a top football official said Qatar clubs are likely to retain four slots on the AFC Champions League calendar in 2013.
Hani Balan of Qatar Stars League Management (QSLM) said Qatari clubs have maintained strict policy in improving their organisational abilities over the last two years.
This year Lekhwiya, Al Rayyan, Al Gharafa and Al Arabi were the four Qatari clubs to take part in Asia’s top event. Balan said Qatar will host an AFC Inspection Team in September.
A similar trip by AFC officials was carried out last year as well, he said. Balan said Al Sadd’s victory in last year’s AFC Champions League title showed the improving standards of the Qatari clubs at the Asian level. The Qatari football official said QSL clubs had been advised on the rating policy of AFC. He said pitch quality, stadium maintenance and other such matters were rated by AFC through points. The Qatari clubs expected to take part in next year’s AFC Champions League are Lekhwiya, Al Rayyan, Al Gharafa and Eljaish.