Al Sadd face Al Sailiya in the opening match in Group A of 2022-2023 season Ooredoo Cup on Monday, 19th September. The kick-off is at 17:55 at the Al Ahli Stadium.

Al Wakrah, Umm Salal, Al Ahli and Qatar SC are the other teams in Group A.

Group B has Al Duhail, Al Markhiya, Al Arabi, Al Shamal, Al Gharafa and Al Rayyan.

Al Sadd had emerged as the champions when the tournament’s title name was changed from QSL Cup to Ooredoo Cup in the 2019-2020 season.

Al Sailiya won its last two editions, in 2020-2021 season and 2021-2022 seasons.

Both teams are to take the field without players who are on national duty as well as a number of foreign professionals. However, that will not take the sheen off the match as it offers extra opportunity to young and reserve players to prove their mettle.

The match will witness the technical prowess of coaches Juan Manuel Lillo ‘Juanma’ of Al Sadd and Sami Trabelsi of Al Sailiya, who both are good at making maximum use of players at their disposal.

It may be noted that Al Sadd had beaten Al Sailiya 2-1 in an exciting encounter in Week 5 of the 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League recently.