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The Qatar Stars League couldn’t have thought of a better match-up to get things underway in style for the new season. After all, as far as football is concerned in the country, nothing comes close to the anticipation and excitement associated with a clash between Al Rayyan and Al Sadd.
With both teams boasting a proud history – Al Sadd have won the league a record 13 times with Al Rayyan second best at six –sparks are expected to fly at a possibly packed Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Stadium today.
Al Sadd won their 13th title in April after a thrilling battle with Lekhwiya, who had been the champions for two preceding seasons. Al Rayyan, on the other hand, flattered only to deceive, winning the season-opening Sheikh Jassim Cup but stumbling on crucial occasions during the QSL and ending up in fourth place. Of course, they closed out the season by claiming the Emir’s Cup, but the disappointment of losing out on the league title is not something they have not yet overcome.
Al Sadd have Spanish legend Raul and Khalfan Ibrahim among other quality players in their ranks, while Al Rayyan boast of Brazilians Nilmar, Rodrigo Tabata and new signing Argentinian Juan Forlin who played four seasons for La Liga side Espanyol, figuring in a whopping 118 games as a central defender or defensive midfielder.
A Khalfan vs Nilmar battle is the stuff of dreams when both players are in form. Khalfan deservedly won the Qatar Football Association Player of the Year award last season. With his breathtaking speed and sharp attacking instincts, it is no surprise that he is the highest-paid Qatari player reportedly earning in excess of eight million riyals per season.
Nilmar, who shocked pundits by moving to Qatar last year, immediately made an impression, emerging as the second-highest scorer in the QSL with 14 goals after Sebastian Soria’s 19. Tabata, who was Player of the Year in 2011-12, was also not too far behind with 10 goals to his credit.
Unsurprisingly, both coaches were pinning their hopes on their star players to deliver this time too.
“For sure we are targeting the QSL title. We have the players and the technical quality to do that,” said Al Rayyan coach Diego Aguirre yesterday.
“Last season we had our chances but we fell to a couple of unlikely defeats and draws towards the middle stages of the league which harmed our chances,” the Uruguayan added.
Aguirre was relishing the prospect of his team’s high-profile clash with Al Sadd first up.
“There’s no doubt that if we win tomorrow against Al Sadd we will be making a strong statement. All our players are fit and eager to make a good impression on the first day. Nilmar and Rodrigo are our mainstays and Juan Forlin is a welcome addition. We are not under any pressure and our focus is good.”
Al Sadd coach Hussein Amotta, who has the rare distinction of winning the league for Al Sadd also as a player, however, was candid in admitting that it would be “too much difficult” for them to repeat last season’s feat.
“It was a perfect season for us last time, but this time it will be too much difficult,” the Moroccan said without elaborating much.
“But we will try to defend our trophy to the best of our ability and if we win against Al Rayyan tomorrow it will boost our confidence greatly.”
Amotta added that he doesn’t have many worries on the injury front. “Some of our players have very small injuries, but the most positive thing about our team is that we have stability, both in terms of the players we have and also the technical staff.”
The Moroccan, however, was cryptic when asked about Raul’s fitness and form ahead of the match.
“We’d better not talk about him. You all know why,” he told journalists, smiling rather mysteriously.