Red Knights set the early pace in the QSL

The QSL season is taking a backseat, ahead of Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifiers. At QSL online, we have decided to look at the early season form of the teams in the league. Today we focus on Lekhwiya, the early pace setters in the Qatar Stars League.

Djamel Belmadi’s side have come flying out of the traps this season scoring nine goals in just two QSL games. The Red Knights opened up their campaign with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over newly promoted Muaither with two goals in either half.

Whilst in their second tie, Lekhwiya needed a late Nam Tae Hee free kick to secure all three points against Gharafa in a rollercoaster 5-4 victory. One note of concern for head coach Djamel Belmadi will be how the Lekhwiya defense was breeched on four occasions, something that he will be certainly looking to address during the international break.



Lekhwiya strengthened significantly in the summer, and the signing of Moroccan international Yusef El Arabi looks to be a strong investment from the Lekhwiya management. The former Granada man is tailor made for Lekhwiya and has settled well at the club, grabbing three goals in three starts for the Red Knights.

Likewise the club has brought back two youngsters who are primed for a big debut season with Lekhwiya. Young striker Almoez Ali scored his first ever QSL goal of the season in the victory over Muaither, along with midfielder Assim Madibo who has enjoyed some impressive cameo’s from the bench.  The Qatari youth internationals will have to step up this year and will form a vital part of the squad if Lekhwiya are to compete on all fronts.

Finally Lekhwiya are enjoying fine early season form from midfielder Nam Tae Hee. The South Korean international has been on sparkling form lately, with a man of the match performance against Al Gharafa on Saturday evening.  Nam already leads the way in the scoring charts with a fine hat-trick last time out, and head coach Djamel Belmadi will be hoping for more of the same after the international break when Lekhwiya take on second placed Al Sadd in a top of the table round 3 clash.