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 GHARAFA

Al Gharafa have a rich history and huge fan base. All that makes it mandatory for them to get back to a commanding position and that will be their goal in the 2021-2022 season.

Al Gharafa had won the league three times in a row, in 2008, 2009 and 2010, an achievement that has not been repeated by any club since then. Last season, The Cheetahs and Al Ahli both ended up with 33 points, but Al Gharafa were placed fourth on better goal difference (+7 as against Al Ahli’s -10).

Al Gharafa thereby earned the right to play in the elite Qatar Cup and a chance to play in the AFC Champions League.

Italian coach

Ahead of the 2021-2022 season, the team management replaced Serbian coach Slavisa Jokanovic with Italian Andrea Stramaccioni. Jokanovic was at the helm in the last two seasons.

Stramaccioni is a former Italian defender. He started his playing career with Bologna and took up coaching at the age of 25 following an early retirement due to an injury. He initially coached youth teams and, in 2005, he joined the technical staff of Roma youth team.

He has coached top Italian club Inter Milan as well as Iranian side Esteghlal.

Three foreign professionals changed

Al Gharafa changed three of their foreign professionals – Adlene Guedioura (Algeria), Koo Ja-Cheol (South Korea) and Serge Wilfried Kanon (Ivory Coast).

The club kept two professionals – Algerian striker Sofiane Hanni and Ivorian Jonathan Kodjia, their top scorer last season with 11 goals.

Al Gharafa have so far signed only one professional, Algerian defender Mehdi Tahrat. They have not finalized the other two professional players.

Al Gharafa comprise a large number of young and talented Qatari players, and they all get the opportunity to prove their great abilities every season.

Germany camp

Al Gharafa prepared for the new season by training in Doha under the Italian coach. The team then had a camp in Nuremberg, Germany.

They played several friendly matches, losing the first against German team Eintracht, winning the second against FC Schweinfurt and drawing the third game with TSV Kornberg.

Campaign start

Al Gharafa start their league campaign against Al Shamal. They will then play Al Ahli, Al Duhail and Umm Salal in the first four rounds in that order.