Champions enjoy mixed start to title defence The reigning QSL champions have enjoyed a mixed start to the QSL season, registering a 3-0 victory and a 0-0 draw. Still, the Lions remain unbeaten and will be looking to push on once the QSL resumes after the international break.
Al Rayyan opened up their campaign against Al Shahania and brushed aside the newly promoted side 3-0. A Rodrigo Tabata hat trick inspired the Lions to a comprehensive victory, and the performance certainly indicated the Al Rayyan where looking to secure back to back QSL falcon shields.
The Lions came back to earth in round two, dropping points and drawing 0-0 with a well-organized Umm Salal side. The champions looked the better team in the second half, and pushed hard for a winner yet where unable to break down the stubborn Rayyan backline. This certainly will be a concern for the management that Rayyan where unable to grab a late winner, something they did so often last season.
Al Rayyan elected to keep with the four professional players that helped them pick up their first league title in twenty one years. So it means that Gonzalo Viera, Koh Myong-jin, Víctor Cáceres and Sergio Garcia will be charged again with pushing Al Rayyan all the way to the QSL falcon shield.
One player who has returned to the club and primed to make an impact is midfielder Daniel Gomu. The returnee served a domestic ban and depending on form could nail down a starting place in the center of the park. Having previously played for Al Rayyan, he will be seen as a vital addition to a squad which will be battling on both domestic and international fronts for trophies.
Last season’s joint top goal scorer Rodrigo Tabata already leads the Al Rayyan scoring charts this season and will be expected to lead the line again this season. At 35, time is not exactly on the attacker’s side, but early indications show another strong season from Al Rayyan’s talismanic captain.
The champions will be looking to build on their solid start when they face an Al Sailiya side looking to register their first points of the season in round 3 of the QSL. The tie will take place on Saturday the 15th of October at Al Ahli stadium.
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