Alkass Digital
QNB Stars League (QSL) side Al Rayyan are flexing their muscles with a renewed passion, hoping to revive their past glory in the forthcoming football season.
The Lions, who have eight QSL and six Amir Cup crowns to their credit, endured an abysmal season just escaping relegation from the top flight after finishing ninth in the standings.
The club is undergoing changes ahead of the 2023-24 season and will be led by Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim (pictured), who replaced Chilean Nicolas Cordova, after he signed a contract until 2025.
Al Rayyan started their preparation with a home training camp earlier this month and the team will train in Austria during their overseas training camp from July 17 to August 7.
The new QSL season will kick off on August 17.
Apart from replacing the coach, Al Rayyan are planning to rope in new players and in their first major signing they unveiled Thiago Mendes on Friday. The Brazilian midfielder, who has moved from French side Lyon, signed a contract with Al Rayyan that will last until the 2025 season.
According to Al Rayyan’s spokesperson Abdul Hadi Al Sahli, the club is planning to include more new players in the squad after coordination between the administration and coach Jardim.
“We are trying to strengthen our squad as we are aiming for a different season. The competition will be tough as all teams are making strong preparations for the new season. We are hoping for a successful season to make our fans happy,” he said.
Al Rayyan’s last Amir Cup triumph came in 2013 while they last lifted the QSL’s Falcon Shield in the 2015-16 season. Al Duhail were the most successful side in the previous season, clinching the QSL, Qatar Cup and Ooredoo Cup titles while Al Arabi emerged as the Amir Cup winners.
Meanwhile, Al Wakrah, who secured fourth position in the QSL season, announced to play a friendly match against Las Palmas on July 22 during their training camp in Spain. The Blue Waves will be based in Marbella from July 16 to 31.