Al Duhail is set to kick off their campaign in the QSL Cup as favorites, with rival Al Sadd absent from the competition. The QSL Cup is one of Qatar’s biggest domestic tournaments, alongside the Ooredoo Stars League, Amir Cup, and Qatar Cup. Al Duhail has had a strong start to the season, taking the lead in the OSL with three consecutive wins, including a 4-0 victory over Al Rayyan.
Their first match in the QSL Cup will be against Qatar SC at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium, following their impressive 6-1 win against them earlier this month. Group A also includes tough competitors like Al Arabi, Al Ahli, Al Rayyan, and Al Shahania. The tournament will kick off with a match between Al Rayyan and Al Shahania, while Al Arabi and Al Ahli will also face off in the opening round.
In Group B, the defending champions Umm Salal will take on Al Shamal, following a victory last season where they defeated Al Arabi on penalties. Al Wakrah will also face Al Khor in the first round of matches on Saturday. Al Sadd will not be participating in the tournament, leaving five teams in Group B, including Al Gharafa led by Pedro Martins.
During the opening round, teams will be missing players who are on national duty, including eight Qatar internationals from Al Duhail. This includes star striker Almoez Ali, who is part of the national squad heading to the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against the UAE and North Korea. The QSL Cup promises to be an exciting competition with strong contenders in both Group A and Group B.
In conclusion, Al Duhail is looking to continue their winning streak and claim the QSL Cup title, while other teams like Al Gharafa and Umm Salal will be aiming to dethrone the defending champions. The absence of Al Sadd opens up the field for new contenders to emerge, making the tournament even more unpredictable and competitive. Football fans in Qatar can look forward to an action-packed tournament with stellar performances and exciting matches in the upcoming weeks.
