Alkass Digital
After a shaky start to the QNB Stars League (QSL) season, Al Sailiya are hoping to bring cheers to their fans as they begin their title defence at the Ooredoo Cup with the opening Group A match against Al Sadd at Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium, today.
Twelve QSL teams, divided into two groups, will be seen in action in the Ooredoo Cup, formerly known as the QSL Cup.
Al Sailiya, coached by Sami Trabelsi, are looking for a repeat of their performance of the last two editions when they won titles in the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons.
The Peregrines are hoping for a turnaround after losing five matches at the QSL while only collecting points from one win and a draw. They are just ahead of bottom-placed Al Rayyan in the QSL standings.
Al Sadd, who are making their return to Ooredoo Cup after skipping the last edition due to players’ commitment with the Qatar national team, also struggled in the start of their QSL title defence, losing four out of seven matches before the league took a break for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The Wolves, already without Qatari internationals who are away with the national team, will miss the services of Jung Woo-young and Andre Ayew, who have been called up to represent their countries.
They will also be without Brazilian midfielder Guillerme Torres, who underwent an ankle surgery yesterday and will miss six to eight weeks of action.
Al Sadd clinched the Ooredoo Cup title in 2019-2020 when the tournament’s name was changed from the QSL Cup.
In the previous clash between Al Sadd and Al Sailiya, coach Juan Manuel Lillo’s side emerged as 2-1 winners in fifth round of the QSL.
Meanwhile, Group A of the Ooredoo Cup also includes Al Wakrah, Umm Salal, Al Ahli and Qatar SC, while Group B comprises Al Duhail, Al Markhiya, Al Arabi, Al Shamal, Al Gharafa and Al Rayyan.
In-form Al Wakrah, who are the only unbeaten side in the QSL season so far, will begin their title hunt with a match against Qatar SC in today’s second match at Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium. The other match on the opening day will also see Umm Salal and Al Ahli battling for a win at Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium in Al Wakrah.
Owing to their brilliant performance in the QSL, Al Arabi will start as one of the title favourites as Group B teams will be seen in action tomorrow. The QSL leaders, coached by Younes Ali, will begin their campaign against Al Shamal at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium in Al Gharafa.
Al Duhail, who are also making a return to tournament after missing the last edition, will take on Al Markhiya earlier at the same venue. In other Group B match tomorrow, Al Gharafa and Al Rayyan will square off at Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Qatar Stars League (QSL) yesterday held a Technical Meeting for 2022-2023 season Ooredoo Cup at its headquarters in Al Bidda Tower to review arrangements ahead of the kick off.
The meeting was attended by Ahmed Abdullah Al Sayed, Head of Football Operations at the QSL, Abdullah Al Balooshi, representative of the Referees Department of Qatar Football Association, and representatives of competing clubs.