Al Ahli and Al Gharafa will meet in the opening match of Week 3 of 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Al Thumama Stadium on Friday, September 1, 2023. The kick-off is at 6.15pm.

The situation is different for the two teams in terms of the results achieved so far in the league, but the common factor for both sides is the aim to achieve victory and collect the three valuable points.

Al Gharafa are going into the match highly motivated by the positive result they achieved in their previous game against Al Markhiya, winning 2-0 and following their opening-round 4-4 draw against Qatar SC.

The win over Qatar SC has provided a morale boost to The Cheetahs coached by Portuguese Pedro Martins and they would now certainly look to score a victory against Al Ahli as well. 

Al Gharafa and Al Rayyan were also the only teams to have not conceded a goal in Week 2.

Al Gharafa excelled in the first two rounds riding on the brilliance of the team’s star and playmaker Yacine Brahimi, who scored a brace in the win over Al Markhiya. Brahimi also scored in their 4-4 draw against Qatar SC and is now equal with other top scorers Michael Olunga of Al Duhail and Bruno Tabata of Qatar SC.

Meanwhile, Al Ahli, under Montenegrin coach Nebojsa Jovovic, are still searching for their first win, having met reversals against Al Duhail and Al Sadd.

Al Ahli therefore would look to put out their best against Al Gharafa and log the first points.

The Brigadiers have been hampered by the absence of their Algerian professional Sofiane Hanni, who was the spearhead of their attack and playmaking. They still have Islam Yassine, Tunisian Naim Sliti, a dashing winger, and Jordanian Yazan Al Naimat.

The Al Ahli vs Al Gharafa clash is expected to be exciting and will see a lot of club rivalry, with both sides seeking victory.