Al Rayyan face Al Shamal in Week 1 of the 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League. The kick-off is at 19.45 on Wednesday, 3rd August, 2022, at the Al Sadd Stadium.

Both teams will take to the pitch with an aim of making a strong start to their league championship and seek a good result which would serve as a motivation and morale boost for the season ahead and to make up for what they missed last season.

Although Al Shamal achieved their goal last season, with good planning and aim of staying in the QNB Stars League this season, they would be looking to gain on the experience and work harder under Moroccan coach Hicham Zahid. Al Shamal would certainly seek to rise higher in the ranking and to stay away from being in the realms of relegation.

Al Rayyan are looking forward to a strong start and a better appearance after their difficult last season where they were far from finishing in the top four.

Al Rayyan finished eighth last season with 24 points and perhaps would look for more technical stability following their success under Chilean coach Nicolas Cordova, who enabled the team to reach the AFC Champions League Round of 16.

Al Shamal have signed up French player Loic Lander, Moroccan Yacine Bammou, and are continuing with their Iraqi professional Amjad Atwan, and Jordanian striker Ali Alwan, besides Argentinian Matias Nani.

Last season, Al Shamal occupied the 10th place in the table with 22 points, only two points behind Al Rayyan.

A strong and exciting encounter is on cards.