Al Shamal faced FC Volendam in a friendly match during their preparatory camp in the Netherlands. The Bonairean forward Quincy Hoeve scored the only goal of the match in the first minute, giving the Dutch club the lead. However, Al Shamal put up a strong fight and managed to restrict FC Volendam to just one goal. The match ended with a satisfactory result for Al Shamal, who had recently signed Dutch defender Sven van Beek from Heerenveen. Van Beek, who has previously played for Feyenoord and the Netherlands U-21 team, is expected to strengthen Al Shamal’s defense in the upcoming season.
Al Shamal is one of many Qatari teams holding pre-season training camps in Europe to prepare for the upcoming season. Along with Al Rayyan and Al Ahli, Al Shamal is in the Netherlands gearing up for the Ooredoo Stars League, which is set to kick off on August 9. Al Rayyan is scheduled to play a friendly match against FC Utrecht, while Al Gharafa began their training camp in Slovakia and Al Duhail continued theirs in Austria. Al Shahaniya is also in Turkey for their pre-season training.
In other news, Al Khor SC made a significant signing by bringing in Iraqi striker Ayman Hussein from Al Quwa Al Jawiya on a two-year deal. The 28-year-old forward has a wealth of experience having played for clubs in Tunisia, Morocco, and the UAE, as well as in the Qatari league with Umm Salal and Al Markhiya. This signing is expected to bolster Al Khor SC’s attack as they aim to make an impact in the upcoming season.
Additionally, Al Wakrah announced the signing of Tunisian player Aissa Laidouni from Union Berlin on a four-year contract. Laidouni has played for various clubs in France, Romania, Hungary, and Germany before joining Al Wakrah. He made his international debut with the Tunisian national team during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in 2021 and scored his first international goal against Zambia in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers. The signing of Laidouni adds depth to Al Wakrah’s squad as they prepare for the new season.
Overall, Qatari football clubs are making significant moves during their pre-season training camps in Europe, bringing in new talent and preparing for the upcoming season. The friendly matches against European clubs provide valuable experience and test the teams before the start of the Ooredoo Stars League. With key signings like Sven van Beek, Ayman Hussein, and Aissa Laidouni, the Qatari clubs are looking to strengthen their squads and compete at the highest level in both domestic and international competitions. Fans can expect an exciting season ahead with new faces and renewed ambitions across the Qatari football landscape.
