Tribune News Network
Doha
The QSL’s Expo Stars League season 2023-24 action will kick off at the Al Janoub Stadium on Wednesday at 6.30pm with Al Wakrah meeting the promoted-Muaither Sports Club.
Al Wakrah, who were impressive the last season, will look to continue their distinguished performance while Muaither, who earned promotion to the top flight as Second Division champions, are looking forward to a good show and a great return this season.
Muaither coach Jose Pepe Murcia speaking to the media ahead of the Week 1 match said, “We have full confidence in all the players. We look forward to achieving the three points, despite the difficulty of the match against Al Wakrah.
“We respect the Al Wakrah for its distinguished players and technical and administrative stability and we take this into consideration. We work with high professionalism and professionals, and the team is at a high level, and it’s seeking to maintain it.”
Muaither player Saif Al Mohannadi said, “We have made exceptional preparations and will go into the first meeting with the ambition of achieving victory. I ask the fans of Muaither Club to continue to support the team at all times because the team needs their support and will strive to provide the best for them.”
Both teams have prepared for the competitions through training and overseas camps besides playing friendly matches, with their coaches analyzing strategies.
Each team has also procured a number of distinguished players in the recent period. Al Wakrah signed Egyptian midfielder Hamdi Fathy and Jordanian Omar Salah in addition to the return of Moroccan Ayoub Assal, who contracted with Al Wakrah in the middle of last season and played for Al Markhiya on loan until the end of the season.
Among others who continue to serve the team are their Algerian top scorer Mohamed Benyettou, Angolan Jacinto Dala, Australian Trent Sainsbury and Brazilian Lucas Mendes.
On the other hand, newcomers Muaither also have a number of foreign and local professional players, most notably Algerian Nassim Benaissa, Moroccan Ayman El Hassouni, Congolese Guy Mbenza and others, looking to present a strong level.
And while Al Wakrah coach Marquez Lopez wants a strong start for his team, his Spanish compatriot Jose Murcia will also work for Muaither SC to make a good beginning to the season.
Lopez said, “We went through a strong preparation camp in Spain during which we focused on preparing the team from all technical, physical, and psychological aspects, and all I hope is that success will be our ally in this meeting so that we can collect the three points.”
Al Arabi ready for Al Shamal
In the second match of the day, Al Arabi will meet Al Shamal at 8.30pm at the Al Thumama Stadium.
Al Arabi aspire to reach the top of the league and win the title especially since what they achieved last season – finishing second in the championship besides winning the Amir Cup. They will surely look for a winning start to the new season.
Al Arabi enter their opening match under coach Younes Ali with five foreign professionals in the ranks, namely Syrian Omar Al Somah, Tunisian Yousef Msakni, Moroccan Mohamed Taabouni and Algerian Wassim Keddari in addition to the continuation of Brazilian Rafinha. The team still has two professionals players’ spots remaining.
Al Arabi went through a preparatory overseas camp in Spain and they played several friendly matches from which the team has benefited strongly.
Al Arabi coach Younes Ali while addressing the media ahead of the match against Al Shamal said, “Our preparations were good and the outdoor camp was very useful. The players made a great effort in preparing for the start of the league. The competition this season will not be easy and all teams have prepared well by bringing in quality players, and we hope that our start will be successful.”
While the match is a test for Al Shamal, they will aim to prove their presence from the very first round, having managed to stay in the league after beating Second Division runners-up Al Khor in Play-Off.
Al Shamal coach Poya Asbaghi seeks to achieve the first win relying on a number of his players, including foreign professionals, most notably Ricardo Gomes, Younes El Hannach, Omid Ebrahimi, Jason Morello, Matias Nani and Ali Olwan, in addition to new signings Abdulaziz Al Ansari, Khalifa Al Maliki and Mowafaq Awad.
The team had an overseas camp in Austria and played friendly matches.
The opening matches always provide indications of what each team aspires to achieve and, as such, there will be a great focus on the part of each team to present a strong show and positive result for a good start to the new season.
