Thrills and spills expected as Qatar Stars League begins

After a long summer break, it’s that time of the year when the top football clubs of the country will go into battle against each other to claim the coveted Qatar Stars League crown. This season promises to be a lot more exciting than the previous editions because not only will the big clubs try to shift Al Rayyan from the top of the perch but a rule change means that only 12 teams will go into the 2017-18 season. So while there will be the expected battle at the top between the big boys, the rest of the teams will have to be constantly on their toes to avoid slipping down into the relegation zone. Last season Al Rayyan trampled over the opposition and won the title with effortless ease. But they have displayed an uncomfortable drop in form since winning the title while other teams have discovered ways to stop their famed attacking prowess. In the recently concluded Sheikh Jassim Cup, Lekhwiya registered a clinical 2-0 win over Rayyan, to claim the first trophy of the season. The usual suspects to challenge for the title will be Al Rayyan, Lekhiwya, Al Sadd and El Jaish. Adding to the competition is the fact that the top placed team will also gain direct qualification to the 2018 AFC Champions League Group Stages. The second-placed team will go into the qualifying play-offs while the third team in the QSL table will have to play the preliminary rounds. The fourth and fifth placed teams will qualify for the 2018 GCC Champions League. So one of the top four clubs will miss out on participating in the AFC Champions League, unlike last season. All of these top teams have retained their high-profile managers, which means Jorge Fossati (Rayyan), Djamel Belmadi (Lekhwiya), Jesualdo Ferreira (Sadd) and Sabri Lamouchi (El Jaish) will continue their battle to become the top coach of QSL. While the title battle is largely expected to be between these four, there are other clubs who can post a fighting challenge to finish in the top four. Al Arabi had a good run at the start of the last season under the helm of Gianfranco Zola but then faded away. Now Al Arabi have Uruguyan Gerardo Pelusso as their head coach and they will be hoping for a more sustained challenge. Umm Salal and Al Ahli are two other clubs that are always lurking around the top four. A good run of results could see them upset the applecart. Umm Salal have stuck to their Turkish taskmaster Bulent Uygun and will be expecting a better show after having finished fifth last time around. Al Ahli let go of their head coach Zlatko Kranjcar in the middle of last season and gave the reins to Yousuf Adam. Now they have recruited former Al Shahania coach Luka Bonacic to further their prospects. The other two teams to watch out for will be Al Sailiya and Al Gharafa. Under Tunisian Sami Trabelsi, Sailiya have the capability to punch above their weight, having finished fourth in the 2013-14 season. Gharafa also endured a change of coach in the middle of last Season. Portuguese Pedro Caixinha was appointed coach in December of last year and the team will be hoping for a stronger performance this year than the ninth they managed last season. Meanwhile, the two teams who got promoted this season are Muaither and Shahania. But they will have to adapt quickly right from the start if they are to avoid the drop at the end. The 12-team QSL next season means that bottom two teams will be relegated. And the 11th and 12th placed teams will engage in a play-off to decide who stays. And one team will be promoted from the Qatar Gas League. With lots at stake, this Qatar Stars League season promises to keep everyone on their toes – from players to managers to even the fans. Over to the pitch now.QSL fixtures and statsToday’s matches: Al Ahli vs Al Gharafa 6pm; Al Sailiya vs Al Arabi 8:10pmTomorrow: Umm Salal vs Al Khor at 6pm; Al Sadd vs Al Kharaitiyat at 8:10pmOn Saturday: Al Rayyan vs Al Shahania at 6pm; Lekhwiya vs Al Mu’aidar SC at  8:10pmOn Sunday: El Jaish vs Al Wakrah at 6pmCoachesTeam        Coach             Al Ahli        Luka Bonacic (Croatia)    Al Arabi        Gerardo Pelusso (Uruguay)Al Gharafa        Pedro Caixinha (Portugal)El Jaish        Sabri Lamouchi (France)Al Kharaitiyat        Amar Osim (Bosnia and Herzegovina)Al Khor        Jean Fernandez (France)Al Rayyan        Jorge Fossati (Uruguay)Al Sadd        Jesualdo Ferreira (Portugal)Al Sailiya        Sami Trabelsi (Tunisia)Al Shahania        Fathi Al-Jabal (Tunisia)Al Wakrah        Mauricio Larriera (Uruguay)Lekhwiya        Djamel Belmadi (Algeria)Muaither        Phillippe Burle (France)Umm Salal        Bülent Uygun (Turkey)Most Successful QSL Clubs1. Al Sadd                        13 titles2. Qatar SC (previously Al Esteqlal)    83. Al Rayyan                        84. Al Gharafa (previously Al-Ittihad)    75. Al Arabi                        76. Lekhwiya                        47. Al Maref                        38. Al Wakrah                        2Last Five Champions2015-16: Al Rayyan2014-15: Lekhwiya2013-14: Lekhwiya2012-13: Al Sadd2011-12: LekhwiyaTop three Scorers last seasonPlayer                Team        Goals1. Abderazak Hamdallah        El Jaish        212. Rodrigo Tabata            Al Rayyan    21    3. Meshal Abdullah             Al Ahli        18