The countdown to 2021-2022 QNB Stars League has begun even as the clubs are eagerly continuing their preparations for the season’s competitions after returning from their overseas camps, where they sought to achieve maximum technical and physical benefits for the players.

Against this backdrop, we are highlighting the pre-season preparations made by each of the 12 teams.

AL ARABI

Al Arabi have big ambitions in the 2021-2022 season and the team management has entrusted the coaching task with Qatari Younes Ali, a former national team player, as they seek to win titles.

Al Arabi are one of the oldest Qatari teams and have won many titles, but have not been successful in the recent years. Naturally, they target achievements in the new season.

Younes replaces Icelander Hallgrimsson

Al Arabi recruited Younes for one season, replacing Icelandic coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, and the former has the experience to guide the team in the right direction, having achieved good results with Qatar SC last season.

New deals

Al Arabi strengthened their ranks with a number of new deals. Yousef Muftah joined the team from Al Gharafa, young player Rami Suhail was contracted for four seasons from Al Sadd and Abdulkarim Al Ali was roped in from Al Sailiya.

Al Arabi also signed striker Abdulqadir Ilyas, who was one of the top scorers with Al Sailiya and in the league, giving the coach more offensive options. Then, right-back Hamed Ismail, who represented Qatar SC last season and has rich experience having played for many clubs most notably Al Rayyan and Al Sadd, joined the squad. Both are strong additions to The Dream Team.

Retaining four professionals and signing of Gabonese Bupendza

Al Arabi retained four of their foreign professional players – Tunisian Yousef Msakni, Iranian Mehrdad Mohammadi and Icelander Aron Gunnarsson in addition to renewing the contract of Spanish defender Marc Muniesa for two seasons, and Gabonese striker Aaron Bupendza was recently signed for three seasons.

Spain camp

Al Arabi had begun their training in Doha on 13th July and played a friendly match against Al Bidda that ended in a 1-1 draw. They then had their pre-season overseas camp in the Spanish city of Estepona, which lasted from 6th to 22nd August, during which they played many friendly matches against Spanish teams.

Campaign start

A strong start in the league will be important for Al Arabi, but the task will not be easy, especially since they begin their campaign against Al Wakrah. They will then face Al Duhail, last season’s league runners-up, Al Sailiya and Qatar SC in the first four rounds.