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 DUHAIL

Al Duhail seek to compensate for losing out on the title last season, where they finished behind Al Sadd.

The Red Knights know better that there is no substitute to titles in order to satisfy their fans, especially with the many changes they underwent ahead of the new season.

Back to Portuguese school of coaching

As part of the arrangements and preparations for the new season, Al Duhail signed Portuguese coach Luis Castro to succeed Frenchman Sabri Lamouchi, who was not successful last season.

Castro is the second Portuguese coach in the history of Al Duhail, after Rui Faria. He has previously trained Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk and helped them win the league in 2020 and become runners-up last season.

Foreign professionals

Al Duhail made big changes on the front of foreign professionals by offloading three of them (Moroccan Mehdi Benatia, Brazilian Dudu and Iranian Ali Karimi). They kept winger Paulo Edmilson for the fourth consecutive season and Kenyan striker Michael Olunga.

They signed three new professionals – Tunisian Ferjani Sassi, Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld, former captain of English club Tottenham Hotspur, and South Korean Nam Tae-Hee, who returned to Al Duhail after his stint in Al Sadd.

New deals

In terms of Qatari players, they got back the services of left-back Khaled Muftah, who was on loan to Al Rayyan. Then, right-back Mohammed Alaaeldin joined them from Al Rayyan and Ahmed Yasser came back to them from Al Rayyan.

Tough season

It was the first time since 2011 that Al Duhail did not get any title last season. They found it very tough, and the team management and technical staff would want the players to forget it and think about the future, where they will be back among titles.

European camp

Al Duhail began their preparations for the new season in July by playing two friendly matches. They drew 0-0 with Al Shahaniya and lost 0-1 to Al-Shamal.

The team had its annual European camp in Austrian capital Vienna in August, where they played friendly matches. Al Duhail beat Austrian clubs Schwechat (2-0) and Admira (5-1) before losing to Albanian side Kukesi 1-2.

After returning to Doha, Al Duhail played a friendly match against Al Sailiya, winning 4-1.

Campaign start

Al Duhail will play Al Khor, Al Arabi, Al Gharafa and Umm Salal in the first four rounds.