The new QSL season is set to kick off on the 15th of September with all 14 clubs looking forward to taking part in the action. Ahead of the big kick off QSL online will be previewing the sides, assessing their chances and highlighting some key players who could make a difference for their perspective sides. Today we are looking at three sides that enjoyed surges in form to enjoy the upper reaches of the QSL. These teams are Al Sailiya, Al Ahli and Umm Salal.
Al Sailiya
Al Sailiya enjoyed a typically solid season under the stewardship of Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi, eventually finishing in seventh place. In February Trabelsi signed a new three year deal with the side, adding to the stability under the QSL’s longest serving coach.
That stability has also been reflected in the squad this term, with only one foreign player joining the side. Cameroonian striker Paul Alo'o Efoulo was recruited early in the summer window from Saudi side Al-Taawon. Efoulo joins compatriot Raoul Loé along with Bahraini striker Faouzi Aaish and Romanian defender Dragos Grigore who were retrained by the peregrines.
Domestically, Sailiya have been quiet in the transfer window although they have tied Osman Aqub down with a contract extension. The club is expecting a few new faces to freshen up the squad ahead of the start of the season.
Al Sailiya has been a consistent mid table side under Sami Trabelsi, and much the same can be expected this term. However if new signing Efoulo can strike up a partnership with Faouzi Aaish the club could feasibly push into the top four picture.
Al Ahli
The Brigadiers struggled for much of the season at the foot of the table during the 2015/2016 season. However an inspired run of five straight wins at the end of the season pushed Ahli all the way up to fifth place. The improvements in fortunes lead to caretaker coach Yusef Adam getting a nomination for coach of the year.
Adams departed in the summer and Ahli wasted no time in bringing in Luka Bonačić to coach the side. Bonačić is no stranger to the league having taken charge of Al Shahania two seasons ago. In terms of professional stars Ahli have kept Firmin Mubele, and the Iranian duo of Mojtaba Jabbari and Pejman Montazeri. Ahli are expecting to announce a new foreign player ahead of the new season.
Domestically, Ahli have been quiet again however the squad will be boosted by the contract extension of Ali Qadri, who is considered to be one of the key players in the squad.
In terms of the season ahead, Ahli will be looking for a similar sixth placed finish and a run in the cup competitions. Should Bonačić work well with the side, then the Brigadeers have every chance of a strong league position.
Umm Salal
Umm Salal where one of the QSL’s most consistent teams last term, and providing they hadn’t drawn so many games could have been comfortably in the Qatar Cup places.
The Orange Fortress have stuck with head coach Bulent Uygen, as they look for further continuity with the Turkish tactician. In terms of transfers the side has signed three professionals ahead of the new season. Jordanian striker Tha'er Bawab, El Jaish man Anderson Martins have been brought in and join Ivorian striker Yannick Sagbo at the club. The club is set to confirm a fourth player in the next few days.
Domestically Umm Salal have been busy brining in winger Helal Mohammed and Waleed Mohyaden from Al Khor, whilst Mostafa Mido has been recruited from relegated Qatar SC to shore up defense.
Having made smart local signings and added foreign firepower Umm Salal could very much push on and break into the top 4 this season. If the new players take to Bulent Uygen’s traning methods the Orange Fortress have every chance of reaching their goal this season.
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