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 finished in the lower reaches of the league in Al Khor, Al Arabi and Al Gharafa..JPG)
Al Khor
Al Khor endured their usual struggle with relegation over the course of the 2015/2016 QSL season. Thankfully a four game unbeaten streak at the end of the campaign ensured that the team from the north of Qatar enjoyed another year of QSL football.Khor have kept the faith with experienced French coach Jean Fernandez, who brought plenty of defensive stability to a leaky backline in his first full season in charge.
In terms of foreign players, Khor waved goodbye to long serving Brazilian players Julio Cesar and Marco Antonio and have brought in Mouchine Iajour and Sultan Al Enezi in their place. They will join Brazilian striker Madson, whilst the club are also set to sign a fourth international ahead of the new season.
Domestically Khor have picked up the El Jaish duo of Saleh Al Yazidi and Abdulgadir Ilyas. They will be expected to push the Knights to a better placed finsh than last season.The Knights enjoyed a preseason training camp in Germany this term, and have now returned to Doha to focus on the season ahead. They have already penciled in a friendly clash with neighbors Al Kharaitiyat ahead of the start of the season.
Head coach Jean Fernandez will be eager to improve this term, and providing a strong start the Knights should be able to better their 10th placed finish last season. Al Khor kick off their QSL campaign with an away tie against Umm Salal on Friday the 16th of September.
Al Gharafa
Al Gharafa endured a season of two halves last term, and will be looking to readdress this in head coach Pedro Caixina’s first full season in charge. The charismatic Portuguese coach end of season form with the Cheetahs was enough for the board to give him a one year contract extension.
The side enjoyed a preseason training camp in Portugal, and adapted to a new training regime introduced by Caixinia. In terms of International players, the club has decided to stick with the trio of Vladimir Weiss, Kristian Nemeth and Tunisian striker Yassine Chikhaoui.
Whilst the major summer transfer of note was South Korean midfielder Han Kook-young who signed a three year deal. Domestically the club has yet to move for any local players so far, although Caixina did expect some players to move from the club in an exclusive preseason interview with QSL online.
The Cheetahs will be eager to avoid a similar ninth placed finish this term. However continuity with the playing staff and management seem to point to a higher placed finish for Al Gharafa.
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Al Arabi
Al Arabi’s inconsistent QSL form last season ended with a eighth placed finish and ended the tenure of Gianfranco Zola with the club.
The Dream Team moved quickly to find a replacement, opting for Uruguayan coach Gerardo Pelusso. The coach was brought in under the recommendation of Al Rayyan tactician Jorge Fossati. The Dream Team has also overhauled their internal management, leading to a host of new players at the club.
Al Arabi has been particularly active in the domestic transfer market bringing five seasoned QSL players. Defenders Mohammed Jumma, Rami Fayez and keeper Mohammed Mubarack will bring defensive stability to the side. Midfielders Wagner Ribero and Talal Al Beloushi will bring attacking depth to the squad.
In terms of professional players, Arabi have brought in Chilean midfieder Luis Jiménez from the UAE and Senegalese defender Mustapha Sall from Saint-Étienne. They will join the returning Imoh Ezekiel and Paulinho as the professionals for this season.
It’s been a frantic summer of transfer activity for The Dream Team, it’s no secreat that the side is eager to taste glory again and lift the QSL falcon shield for the first time in eighteen years. If head coach Pelusso can organize his side quickly, Al Arabi have every chance to be in the top four mix come the end of the season.
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