Tribune News Network
Doha
Big guns Al Duhail and Al Sadd are set for a big match-up in Week 5 of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday at 6pm.
The upcoming marquee clash between the two prominent teams is expected to provide big thrill to the fans. Anticipation is high for this match as both teams are eager to secure a win and strengthen their position in the league championship.
Al Duhail approach this match as leaders, having amassed 12 points from four consecutive wins. They remain the only team yet to experience a loss or draw, achieving a perfect record by triumphing over Qatar SC, Al Rayyan, Umm Salal and Al Wakrah in that order.
Defending champions Al Sadd are currently in third position with six points, having secured victories against Qatar SC and Al Arabi in the second and third round respectively, while suffering defeats to Al Shamal and Umm Salal in the first and fourth rounds.
The two teams find themselves in contrasting circumstances regarding their league results. Al Duhail recently secured a 2-0 victory against Al Wakrah in the fourth week, while Al Sadd suffered a 1-3 defeat to Umm Salal.
In terms of international competition, Al Sadd participated in their inaugural match of the 2024-2025 AFC Champions League Elite last Monday, facing Al Ain from the UAE, the reigning champions of the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League. This match took place at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in the UAE, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
Both teams boast several players of exceptional calibre capable of delivering impressive performances. Al Duhail are relying on their attacking prowess, featuring talents such as Michael Olunga, Almoez Ali, Edmilson and Karim Boudiaf. However, midfielder Ibrahima Diallo will be unavailable for Al Duhail in the upcoming match due to a red card received in the previous game against Al Wakrah.
On the other hand, Al Sadd will rely on the brilliant Akram Afif, along with Spaniard Rafa Mujica, Mateus Uribe, Pedro Miguel, goalkeeper Meshaal Barshim and other players. Mohammed Waad will be absent from Al Sadd after being sent off against Umm Salal.
The upcoming match is set to showcase a sophisticated tactical exchange between the two coaches, Christopher Galtier of Al Duhail and Felix Sanchez of Al Sadd. Both are adept at effectively utilizing the resources and players at their disposal.
Al Ahli and Al Arabi
also in tough battle
Al Ahli will lock horns with Al Arabi in their Week 5 of Ooredoo Stars League at the Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday at 8pm.
Matches between these two rivals in the league championship witness great rivalry and enthusiasm, both on the field and among fans.
Each team is capable of achieving victory and gaining the maximum points despite their recent varied results and their respective placings in the season so far.
Al Ahli are placed second with 10 points, while Al Arabi are in 10th place with three points – with a goal difference over Al Khor (ninth) and Qatar SC (11th).
Al Ahli have achieved excellent results this season so far, winning three games and getting a tied result in one match. In contrast, Al Arabi are yet to taste victory having had three drawn results and one loss.
The Week 5 match therefore provides another opportunity for The Dream Team to find their first victory of the season while it will also be a chance for The Brigadiers to record their fourth win in the league championship. It would hence be exciting to see who gain the maximum points from this clash.
In Week 4, Al Ahli scored a valuable 1-0 win over Qatar SC, while Al Arabi were held 1-1 by Al Khor.
Both Al Ahli and Al Arabi have top players in all positions, most notably Marco Verratti, Rodrigo Sanchez, Abdou Diallo, Ahmed Alaa, Ahmed Fathi, Jassim Jaber and others in The Dream Team, and Julian Draxler, Idrissa Doumbia, Oumar Sekou, Abdulrahman Mustafa, Driss Fettouhi and others for The Brigadiers.
