The Qatar Stars League (QSL) resumes this weekend after a month-long pause for international competitions, with Al Gharafa holding a comfortable lead at the top of the table. The league’s eleventh round of fixtures kicks off tomorrow, February 26th, with Al Shahania hosting the league leaders at Al Khor Stadium. Fans are anticipating a competitive return to action as teams vie for position in the top flight.
The break came following Qatar’s hosting of both the FIFA Arab Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. Al Gharafa enters the resumption of the season with 25 points, four ahead of second-placed Al Shamal. The other matches this week will see Al Rayyan, Al Duhail, and Al Sadd all looking to close the gap on the leaders.
Al Gharafa Aim to Extend Qatar Stars League Dominance
Pedro Martins’ Al Gharafa will be heavily favored in their match against Al Shahania, who currently sit at the bottom of the Qatar Stars League with just four points. However, Al Gharafa will need to maintain focus after a recent AFC Champions League victory against Al Wahda, demonstrating their ability to compete on multiple fronts. A win for Al Gharafa would significantly strengthen their position as contenders for the league title.
Al Shahania faces a challenging uphill battle to avoid relegation. Their performance throughout the season has been consistently weak, and they will need a dramatic turnaround to climb out of the drop zone. The team will be looking to utilize home advantage to potentially upset the league leaders.
Key Matchups Beyond the Top
Meanwhile, Al Shamal, currently on 21 points, will host defending champions Al Sadd on Monday at Al Shamal Sports Club. This match represents a significant test for Al Shamal’s title aspirations. Al Sadd, fresh off a 4-2 AFC Champions League Elite win over Shabab Al Ahli FC, will be eager to build momentum and improve their fourth-place standing of 17 points.
Al Sadd coach Roberto Mancini expressed optimism following his team’s Champions League victory, stating it provides a “great opportunity” to improve their domestic form. The Wolves will be relying on key players like Rafa Mujica, who scored a hat-trick in their recent continental match, to deliver results.
On Sunday, Al Rayyan, in third place with 19 points, will clash with Al Arabi at Al Thumama Stadium. Al Arabi, holding sixth place with 16 points, will present a stern challenge. Another highly anticipated fixture on Sunday is Qatar SC versus Al Duhail at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium. Qatar SC, currently fifth with 17 points, will be looking to regain their early-season form, while Al Duhail, in eighth with 12 points, seeks a resurgence.
The final match on Sunday will see Al Sailiya take on Al Wakrah at Grand Hamad Stadium. Both teams will be aiming for a positive start to the second half of the season, with Al Sailiya in tenth place with seven points and Al Wakrah in seventh with 15 points. These mid-table clashes are crucial for teams looking to secure a comfortable finish in the Qatar Stars League.
QSL Fixtures
Tomorrow
Al Shahania vs Al Gharafa at Al Khor Stadium (5:30pm)
On Sunday
Al Sailiya vs Al Wakrah at Grand Hamad Stadium (5:30pm)
Al Duhail vs Qatar SC at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium (5:30pm)
Al Arabi vs Al Rayyan at Al Thumama Stadium (7:30pm)
On Monday
Al Shamal vs Al Sadd at Al Shamal Sports Club (5:30pm)
Al Ahli vs Umm Salal at Al Thumama Stadium (7:30pm)
The resumption of the Qatar Stars League promises an exciting second half of the season. The coming weeks will be critical in determining the championship contenders and those battling to avoid relegation. The performance of teams like Al Sadd and Al Rayyan will be particularly noteworthy as they attempt to close the gap on Al Gharafa and solidify their own positions in the league standings. Further developments and potential shifts in the table are expected as the season progresses.
