The match highlight of the QNB Stars League Week 3 action
Tribune News Network
DOHA
The Al Duhail vs Al Rayyan match-up on Sunday will be the highlight the QNB Stars League's Week 3 action. The kick-off is scheduled at 19:35 at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Al Duhail will be keen to continue from where they left off last season. The 2017-18 season QNB Stars League champions will have only victory in mind when they play hosts Al Rayyan.
It has to be seen whether Al Rayyan, the third-placed side last season, will be able to stop Al Duhail, who had also annexed the Qatar Cup and Emir's Cup last season, on their tracks.
Al Duhail will also be keen to avenge their defeat in the season-opening Sheikh Jassim Cup, where they lost to Al Rayyan on penalties.
Al Duhail have six points, but are currently second in the standings behind Al Sadd on goal difference. Al Rayyan stand third with four points.
Al Duhail would not want to drop points at any stage if they are to retain the title, while Al Rayyan have already lost two points following their 1-1 draw with Umm Salal in Week 2.
The Red Knights will miss injured players Karim Boudiaf and Ismail Mohammed, who both are recovering from surgery. However, they have the likes of Moroccan striker Yousef El Arabi, the league's top scorer in the last two seasons, South Korean attacking midfielder Nam Tae-Hee, new recruit Edmilson, Lucas Mendes, wily forward Almoez Ali and young Bassam Al Rawi.
Al Rayyan are without their Moroccan spearhead Abderrazaq Hamdallah through injury. New recruit Argentinian striker Jonathan Menendez is a doubtful starter as he awaits his papers from former club Independiente.
However, they have Rodrigo Tabata, Sebastian Soria, Khalfan Ibrahim, Abdulrahman al Harazi, Daniel Goumou, Gonzalo Vieira and South Korean Koh Myong-Jin.
QSC players excited
Qatar Sports Club are upbeat after African star Sameul Eto'o joined the them and will be looking to return to winning ways after their loss to Al Ahli in Week 2. The Kings had beaten Al Gharafa in their opener.
Rami Fayez said during the Media Day,"Our goal is to get a very good position in the QNB Stars League, although the tournament is only into its third week. We'll have a tough task on hand when we face Al Sailiya in Week 3 action.
"Samuel Eto'o will be a strong addition to the Qatar SC line-up. He's a big star with great achievements at his previous clubs," he added.
Ahmed Moin expressed hopes of contributing to the team's cause."Eto'o will help us a lot in our bid to climb up the standings. He's such a big player who can deliver the goods any day.
"The competition in the league will be very strong this season. I hope to contribute to the team's cause in all games."
Fadl Omar said the target is to make to the last four in the league."We'll face some difficulties in the coming games and that's natural. It may happen to all teams. However, we wish to be in the top four.
"We're delighted to have a big name in Eto'o who has had an outstanding career."