Today marks the return of QSL action after a three week break for the AFC U23 Championships, which have been held in Doha. At QSL online, we have decided to look at 5 things we are most excited about with return of QSL action!  


Race for the Qatar Cup!
As ever the top four places in the league will go onto the prestigious end of season Qatar Cup tournament.  This year it certainly seems that at least four clubs are in the mix to grab the fourth spot in the league and join the end of season party. Xavi’s Al Sadd, Umm Salal, Al Arabi and Al Sailiya are all in the mix this time around. Keep an eye out on the performances of these sides as they battle it out to get into the Qatar Cup.


Relegation battle!
Each year two sides leave the QSL for the Qatar Gas league.  The battle for relegation is already heating up this year, with the bottom two sides’ already seven points adrift from safety. Qatar Sports Club look the most likely to turn the tide and survive, they have secured a number of new players for the relegation battle. The kings will be relying on seasoned coach Sebastião Lazaroni to get them out of trouble.




January signings!

With the January transfer window open, QSL sides have been shopping around for some new players. Interestingly many QSL sides have been doing their shopping in South America.  Al Sailiya has been one of the busier sides bringing in Colombian striker Carlos Preciado from Alianza Lima. Sailiya will be looking from goals from their new signing, if they are to get about the Qatar Cup places.

 Elsewhere and Qatar Sports club have signed midfielder Emiliano Vecchio from Chilian side Colo-Colo, Al Ahli also secured the signature of Argentine striker Danilo Carando. Domestically current QSL league leaders Al Rayyan have signed Fabio Cesar from Umm Salal, whilst Al Arabi has also signed Anwar Diba from Al Kharitiyat.

Improving sides!
Al Rayyan took many QSL sides by surprise putting together an impressive winning streak at the start of the season and has set the pace at the top of the league. Now in the second part of the season, many sides will have found their feet in the QSL. Teams perhaps have adapted to new managerial styles and new signings. One team in point is Al Gharafa who has an indifferent start to the QSL season.  However, they have brought in new coach Pedro Caixina and have shown signs of improvement expect the Cheetah’s to improve in the second part of the season.
 



Qatari Talent!
The QSL is all about developing Qatari players and giving opportunities to Qatari players.  So far this season, we have seen star performances from national team captain Hassan Al Haydoos, Lekhwiya defender Khalid Muftah and Sadd midfielder Hamza Senhadji. Whilst young star Abdullah Marafee, has put in a number of good preformances for Al Arabi this season.  With the Qatar national team though to the second round of qualification for the World Cup, expect the Qatari talent of the QSL to shine in the second half of the season.
 
 
 
 Remember you can buy tickets for all of the latest QSL matches here.