Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar SC will face Al Gharafa in Week 1 of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at 6.30pm at the Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday.
The match is expected to be highly entertaining considering the age-long rivalry between the two clubs as well as the expectations of a strong start in the league for both of them.
Both teams have strengthened their squads ahead of the season, with a number of new players joining their ranks.
The two teams finished mid-table last season, with Qatar SC ending fifth while Al Gharafa was a place lower.
For Thursday’s match, Qatar SC coach Youssef Safri will be looking on the likes of Abdullah Al Ahrak, Abdullah Moftah, Ali Malallah, Abdulrahman Al Karbi and Sebastian Soria as well as the foreign professionals Bruno Tabata, Ali Al Saudi, Raul Sanda, Bashar Resan, Malango, Javier Martinez and Badr Bennon for victory.
Al Gharafa, on the other hand, with Portuguese coach Pedro Martinez in the saddle, have Algerian Yacine Brahimi, Tunisian Ferjani Sassi, who is coming from Al Duhail this season, Ivorian Yohan Boli, former Al Rayyan player Farid Wilayat, Othman Al Yahri, Nasser Al Ahrak, Amro Seraj, Yousef Hassan, Homam Al Ameen and Ahmed Alaaeldin.
Qatar SC coach Safri Youssef said his team would look for a winning start to the new season. “We are happy with the quality of work during the last period, especially during the training camp, until we reached the opening match, and everyone is waiting for the starting whistle. For us, we look forward to achieving a start worthy of Qatar SC.
“We must thank the club management for their support and all the needs of the team, in addition to the sacrifices and enthusiasm of the players, which are all positive factors that give us motivation to start strong, despite the presence of some injuries, but we are ready with a great desire to win.
“In general, I am satisfied with the technical level in the camp and the friendly matches. We will be ready despite some absences, the most important of which is Sebastian Soria’s injury, as he will need two or three weeks to recover.”
“Opening matches are always difficult, but we are confident that the tremendous work we have done will help us achieve a start that gives us confidence during the new season,” said Safri.
In contrast, Al Gharafa coach Pedro Martins said while facing Al Gharafa would be difficult, his team would put up its best.
“It will certainly be a strong match, especially since the opponents Qatar SC are a good team with experience, and they are almost the same team like last season with the continuation of the same players and coach and playing with the same philosophy.
“The opening match has its own specialties, which cannot reflect a true technical indicator of performance in view of the players’ need for more match fitness and more technical consistency, but it is important for us to start well in this tournament, and we know that because we have our own goals during this season,” he said.
“I am really happy that the players are doing their best to start the tournament well and everyone wants to have a great season because Al Gharafa deserve it and it is our responsibility to put Al Gharafa in the place they deserve in the league and we have no excuses.
“Our fans will enjoy what the team offers and they will like and enjoy the matches that we will present to them. My players and I are certain that we will present great matches,” said Martins.
Al Gharafa player Yacine Brahimi said, “Qatar SC are a good team, they have good players and a good coach, and I think we must focus on our team with all the respect I have for Qatar SC and we will do our best to win the match because we will play all games to win, God-willing. We will get the three points.
“I think the first game is always very important and to start the opening game with a win is essential for me, and it is very important for the rest of the season because if we win, it will give us more energy, more motivation and confidence.”
